EDMONDS, S.L.; KINTER, M; LONDRAVILLE, R.L.; University of Akron; Cleveland Clinic Foundation; University of Akron: Comparative Proteomics of Parasitism in Bluegill Sunfish

We determined the effects of parasitism by Uvulifer ambloplitis on protein expression in serum of bluegill sunfish (Lepomis macrochirus) using a proteomic approach. Three experimental groups were compared: bluegill sunfish without external parasites, bluegill infected with U. ambloplitis for a set time period, and chronically infected bluegill from a natural population. Blood was collected at different time intervals, and serum prepared. Albumin was removed from serum samples using a commercial kit, immunoglobins were removed using Protein G-/Protein A, and the remaining protein was extracted using a commercial kit. Proteins were separated by isoelectric point (pH 4-7 gradient) and then by size (15% gel) using two dimensional gel electrophoresis. A total of 284 bands have been detected using 2D analysis software (Melanie). Differentially expressed proteins will be identified by comparison among treatments, and individual bands identified using mass spectrometry.