In silico Functional Annotation and Characterization of Hypothetical Proteins in Cedecea neteri SSMD04: Insights into Pathogenicity and Antibiotic Resistance

Abstract

Abstract Cedecea neteri strain SSMD04 is a rare gram-negative pathogenic bacterium belonging to the Enterobacteriaceae family. It is known to cause sporadic acute infections, particularly in immunocompromised individuals, but understanding of its antibiotic resistance and virulence factors is limited. This study aims to shed light on the functional roles of its hypothetical proteins (HPs) and identifying the ones that are responsible for the resilient and pathogenic nature of the bacterium. Using bioinformatic tools, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of 30 HPs out of a total of 244 HPs in C. neteri SSMD04. The systematic analysis began with the prediction of their functional domains and molecular functions, followed by analyzing their physicochemical properties, including molecular weight, charge distribution, stability, and hydrophobicity. We also determined the subcellular locations of HPs, identifying membranous and cytoplasmic proteins that could serve as potential drug and vaccine targets. Followed by localization, the incidence of their virulence was assessed. Tertiary structure analysis of the proteins revealed some interesting insights into the structures of HPs, such as the presence of active ligand-binding sites which can be targeted to alter the antibiotic resistance ability of C. neteri SSMD04. Overall, the results of our analyses revealed that several HPs play crucial roles in the bacterium owing to its virulence and survival within the host. The insights gained from this study will be helpful for developing targeted therapies against bacterial infections and combating antibiotic resistance.