Proteomic profiling of a robust W olbachia infection in an A edes albopictus mosquito cell line

Summary W olbachia pipientis , a widespread vertically transmitted intracellular bacterium, provides a tool for insect control through manipulation of host–microbe interactions. We report proteomic characterization of w S tr, a W olbachia strain associated with a strong cytoplasmic incompatibility phenotype in its native host, L aodelphax striatellus . In the A edes albopictus   C / w S tr1 mosquito cell line, w S tr maintains a robust, persistent infection. MS / MS analyses of gel bands revealed a protein ‘footprint’ dominated by W olbachia ‐encoded chaperones, stress response and cell membrane proteins, including the surface antigen WspA , a peptidoglycan‐associated lipoprotein and a 73 kDa outer membrane protein. Functional classifications and estimated abundance levels of 790 identified proteins suggested that expression, stabilization and secretion of proteins predominate over bacterial genome replication and cell division. High relative abundances of cysteine desulphurase, serine/glycine hydroxymethyl transferase, and components of the α‐ketoglutarate dehydrogenase complex in conjunction with above average abundances of glutamate dehydrogenase and proline utilization protein A support W olbachia genome‐based predictions for amino acid metabolism as a primary energy source. w S tr expresses 15 V ir proteins of a T ype IV secretion system and its transcriptional regulator. Proteomic characterization of a robust insect‐associated W olbachia strain provides baseline information that will inform further development of in vitro protocols for W olbachia manipulation.