Proteomic analysis revealed alterations of the metabolism following salicylhydroxamic acid exposure.

Objectives: Although human respiratory metabolism is characterized by the mitochondrial electron transport chain, some organisms present a "branched respiratory chain." This branched pathway includes both a classical and an alternative respiratory chain. The latter involves an alternative oxidase. Though the alternative oxidase is not yet identified, a specific inhibitor of this enzyme, salicylhydroxamic acid (SHAM), showed a drug effect on respiratory function using oxygen consumption measurements. The present study aimed to highlight the metabolic pathways that are affected in following SHAM exposure.

Design: A proteomic approach was used to analyze the proteome and determine the metabolic pathways altered following SHAM treatment. To evaluate the SHAM effect on parasite growth, the phenotypic alterations of after SHAM or/and hyperoxia exposure were observed.

Results: After SHAM exposure, 26 proteins were significantly deregulated using a fluorescent two dimensional-differential gel electrophoresis. Among these deregulated proteins, some were particularly involved in energetic metabolism. And the combinatory effect of SHAM/hyperoxia seems deleterious for the growth of .

Conclusion: Our results indicated that SHAM appears to activate glycolysis and decrease stress defense systems. These data provide a better understanding of parasite biology.