Preliminary Study: Proteomic Profiling Uncovers Potential Proteins for Biomonitoring Equine Melanocytic Neoplasm.
Authors: Tesena Parichart, Kingkaw Amornthep, Vongsangnak Wanwipa, Pitikarn Surakiet, Phaonakrop Narumon, Roytrakul Sittiruk, Kovitvadhi Attawit
Journal: Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
Summary
Equine melanocytic neoplasm (EMN) predominantly affects aged grey horses, yet early detection remains challenging; this proteomic investigation sought to identify serum protein signatures capable of distinguishing normal skin from mild and severe melanocytic disease. Researchers analysed serum samples from 25 grey horses (10 unaffected, 6 with mild EMN, 9 with severe EMN) using mass spectrometry-based proteomic profiling, identifying 95 differentially expressed proteins across the study groups. Two proteins of particular interest emerged: phospholipid phosphatase 6 (PLPP6), uniquely elevated in mild disease and linked to lipid metabolism, and Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase, associated with energy metabolism; additionally, four non-metabolic proteins (BRCA1, PHKA1, ALK, and ROCK1)—all implicated in melanoma pathogenesis—showed differential expression patterns across disease severity levels. For practitioners managing grey horses, these findings suggest potential serum biomarkers that could enable earlier identification of EMN development before visible lesions progress, though further validation in larger cohorts is needed before routine clinical application. This proteomic foundation warrants investigation as part of a preventative monitoring strategy, particularly in high-risk populations.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Serum proteomic profiling may enable early detection and monitoring of equine melanocytic neoplasm in aged grey horses, potentially allowing intervention before severe disease develops
- •Specific proteins (PLPP6, Na+/K+-ATPase, BRCA1, PHKA1, ALK, ROCK1) could be developed into practical biomarker tests to differentiate disease severity and guide management decisions
- •This preliminary work suggests that blood-based biomarkers may be more practical for field screening than current methods, though further validation studies are needed before clinical application
Key Findings
- •95 significant differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) identified between normal and EMN serum samples from 25 grey horses
- •PLPP6 and Na+/K+-ATPase identified as potential biomarkers uniquely expressed in mild EMN, related to lipid and energy metabolism respectively
- •Four non-metabolism proteins (BRCA1, PHKA1, ALK, ROCK1) correlated with melanoma development showed differential expression across normal, mild, and severe EMN groups
- •Proteomic profiling identified 41 significant proteins categorized as 10 metabolism-related and 31 non-metabolism-related