Application of probiotic proteomics in enteric cytoprotection

Abstract

Mass spectrometry is at centre-of-stage of modern proteomics. This technology has become an indispensable tool in many areas of molecular biology research. However, this modern proteomics has only to a limited extend been applied in the characterization of proteins involved in probiotic effects such as immunomodulation and adhesion to the gastro intestinal tract of the host. Proteins exhibiting these probiotic effects are most often located on the outer cell surface of the probiotic bacterium. Unfortunately, there are few examples on the exploitation of this sub-proteome using proteomics methods in the literature. These studies indicate that probiotic features are caused by the complex interplay of a variety of proteins rather than one single protein. © 2011 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.