Chromobacterium violaceum is a Gram-negative beta-proteobacterium found in tropical ecosystems and it is an opportunistic pathogen for animals and humans. C.
violaceum infection is associated with a high mortality rate, but little is known about
the molecular basis of pathogenicity mechanisms. As an environmental
microorganism, C. violaceum is exposed to diverse external conditions, which require
great adaptability and effective protection systems. C. violaceum possesses an
arsenic resistance operon arsRBC. Arsenic is a toxic metalloid associated with skin
lesions, neurological diseases and cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate
changes in protein pattern in presence of arsenite and characterize secreted proteins
of C. violaceum ATCC 12472. The proteins from C. violaceum were analyzed by twodimensional
electrophoresis and mass spectrometry. Proteomic analysis revealed
that arsenite induces an increase of proteins involved in oxidative stress response,
DNA repair and energetic metabolism. Among the secreted proteins were identified
virulence factors (metallopeptidases, collagenase and toxins), transporters, and
proteins involved in stress response and potentially useful. The results show novel
insights into the adaptive response of C. violaceum.
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