Proteomic characterization of hydatid cyst fluid: two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) setup through optimizing protein extraction.

OBJECTIVE: Proper characterization of hydatid cyst fluid (HCF) is useful for diagnostic and follow up purposes of cystic echinococcosis/hydatidosis, which is an important zoonotic disease. In this regard, proteomics methods are very helpful. The present study was conducted to compare three protein extraction methods for HCF collected from sheep liver hydatid cysts including, trichloracetic acid (TCA)/Acetone precipitation, TCA/Acetone along with dialysis, and combination of 2-D Clean-up Kit and dialysis followed by two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE), to achieve better resolution in the proteomic characterization of HCF proteins.

RESULTS: The 2-DE of TCA/Acetone products showed a lot of smears in the background of gels; TCA/Acetone with dialysis showed greatly reduced smears while the 2-D Clean-up Kit together with dialysis showed sharp spots and least smears. Three-dimensional images of separated spots created by Progenesis SameSpots software showed the best result was achieved by 2-D Clean-up Kit and dialysis.