ABSTRACT
The field of proteomics is the most prominent post-genomic discipline. Although this field is relatively young compared to other established sciences, proteomics has provided vast amounts of information crucial to a comprehensive understanding of system biology in various organisms. Proteomics provide the necessary tools to elucidate the interplay of metabolism, function and phenotypic expression. Ultimately proteomics will aid in the understanding of evolutionary relatedness and interrelationships among various species. Comparative proteomics has been used for identifying, characterising and comparing the proteomes of several nomen species of Brucella. A global overview of B. melitensis proteomes has been accomplished in a relatively short period of time primarily because a completely sequenced and annotated genome of this organism is now available. Consequently, proteins that are differentially expressed between the virulent 16M and vaccine Rev 1 strains of B. melitensis have been identified and have led to a better understanding of key metabolic pathways that may be crucial in attenuating virulence and the production of vaccine strains. Soluble and membrane-bound proteomes of all the recognised nomen species (B. melitensis, B. abortus, B. suis, B. ovis, B. canis and B. neotomae) are currently being examined to identify proteins involved in host preference and virulence. Additionally, the secretomes of B. abortus and attenuated virB mutants have been investigated. Protein identification in these mutants will allow identification of protein candidates for use in vaccine development and as potential drug targets.
