Detergent-resistant microdomains in Saprolegnia parasitica

Oomycete cells are surrounded by a polysaccharide rich cell wall matrix that, in addition to being essential for cell growth, also functions as protective ”armour”. It follows, that the enzymes responsible for the synthesis of the cell wall provide potential targets for disease management. Interestingly, the oomycete cell wall enzymes are predicted to be plasma membrane proteins. In this project, we used a quantitative (iTRAQ) mass spectrometry-based proteomics approach to characterize the plasma membrane proteome of the hyphal cells of S. parasitica, providing the first complete plasma membrane proteome of an oomycete species. Of significance, is the identification of proteins enriched in functional microdomains (Detergent-Resistant Microdomains; DRMs). In silico analysis showed that DRM-enriched proteins are mainly involved in both molecular transport and β-1,3-glucan synthesis, potentially contributing to post infection pathogenesis.