Differential Exoproteome and Biochemical Characterisation of .

Infection with the protozoan ectoparasite , the causative agent of AGD, remains a global threat to salmonid farming. This study aimed to analyse the exoproteome of both an attenuated and virulent isolate using proteomics and cytotoxicity testing. A disproportionate presence of proteins from the co-cultured microbiota of was revealed on searching an amalgamated database of bacterial, and Amoebozoa proteins. LC-MS/MS identified 33 differentially expressed proteins, the majority of which were upregulated in the attenuated exoproteome. Proteins of putative interest found in both exoproteomes were maltoporin, ferrichrome-iron receptor, and putative ferric enterobactin receptor. Protease activity remained significantly elevated in the attenuated exoproteome compared with the virulent exoproteome. Similarly, the attenuated exoproteome had a significantly higher cytotoxic effect on rainbow trout gill cell line (RTgill W1) cells compared with the virulent exoproteome. The presence of a phosphatase and serine protease in the virulent exoproteome may facilitate AGD infection but do not appear to be key players in causing cytotoxicity. Altogether, this study reveals prolonged culture of affects the exoproteome composition in favour of nutritional acquisition, and that the current culturing protocol for virulent does not facilitate the secretion of virulence factors.