Proteomics Analysis of Pregnancy in Ewes under Heat Stress Conditions and Melatonin Administration.

Melatonin is an indoleamine with broad spectrum properties that acts as a regulator of antioxidant and immune response in organisms. In our previous studies, melatonin improved redox status and inflammatory response in pregnant ewes under heat stress conditions. In the present study, using proteomics, the proteins regulated by melatonin during different stages of pregnancy and lambing were assessed. Twenty-two ewes equally divided into two groups, the melatonin (M) (n = 11) and control (C) group (n = 11), participated in the study and were exposed to heat stress during the first months of pregnancy. In the M group, melatonin implants were administered throughout pregnancy, every 40 days, until parturition (a total of four implants per ewe). Blood samples were collected at the beginning of the study simultaneously with the administration of the first melatonin implant (blood samples M1, C1), mating (M2, C2), second implant (M3, C3), fourth implant (M4, C4) and parturition (M5, C5), and MALDI-TOF analysis was performed. The results revealed the existence of 42 extra proteins in samples M2, M3 and M4 and 53 in M5 (sample at parturition) that are linked to melatonin. The biological processes of these proteins refer to boosted immune response, the alleviation of oxidative and endoplasmic reticulum stress, energy metabolism, the protection of the maternal organism and embryo development. This proteomics analysis indicates that melatonin regulates protective mechanisms and controls cell proliferation under exogenous or endogenous stressful stimuli during pregnancy and parturition.

Implementing a preimplantation proteomic approach to advance assisted reproduction technologies in the framework of predictive, preventive, and personalized medicine.

The evolution of the field of assisted reproduction technology (ART) in the last 40 years has significantly contributed to the management of global infertility. Despite the great numbers of live births that have been achieved through ART, there is still potential for increasing the success rates. As a result, there is a need to create optimum conditions in order to increase ART efficacy. The selection of the best sperm, oocyte, and embryo, as well as the achievement of optimal endometrial receptivity, through the contribution of new diagnostic and treatment methods, based on a personalized proteomic approach, may assist in the attainment of this goal. Proteomics represent a powerful new technological development, which seeks for protein biomarkers in human tissues. These biomarkers may aid to predict the outcome, prevent failure, and monitor in a personalized manner in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles. In this review, we will present data from studies that have been conducted in the search for such biomarkers in order to identify proteins related to good sperm, oocyte, and embryo quality, as well as optimal endometrial receptivity, which may later lead to greater results and the desirable ART outcome.

High-throughput Proteomic Profiling of Male Breast Cancer Tissue.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Until now, little emphasis has been placed on the protein expression profile of male breast cancer (MBC) tumors, due to the rarity of the disease. The present study aimed to identify a proteomic pattern that is characteristic for malignant male breast tissue epithelium. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The protein content of four male breast tumors and corresponding adjacent healthy (control) tissues was analyzed by high-throughput nano-liquid chromatography-MS/MS technology. RESULTS: A total of 2,352 proteins were identified, that correspond to 1,249 single gene products, with diverse biological roles. Of those, a panel of 119 differentially expressed tissue proteins was identified in MBC samples compared to controls; 90 were found to be over-expressed in MBC tissues, while 29 were down-regulated. Concurrently, 844 proteins were detected only in MBC tumors and 197 were expressed exclusively in control mammary samples. CONCLUSION: Differential proteomic expression was found in MBC tissue, leading to improved understanding of MBC pathology and highlighting the need for personalized management of male patients.

Proteomic data of donkey's milk.

Donkey's milk has been recognized as milk of high biological value and it also has the closest composition to human milk. However, the total protein content of donkey's milk has not been adequately identified. The aim of this analysis is to investigate the proteomic content of that milk. Specific commercially available only milk was analyzed by ``shotgun'' proteomic methods to identify the proteins it contained in as much detail as possible. The application of the above approach resulted in the identification of a total of 633 different proteins, which were grouped based on their molecular function and their biological process. Furthermore, the proteins visualized graphically according to the GeneOntology (GO) system. The identified proteins confirm the high nutritional value of the donkey milk, governing future steps in optimizing its characteristic and uses.