Aliarcobacter butzleri is an emerging foodborne and zoonotic pathogen, yet many of its encoded proteins remain functionally uncharacterized. This lack of annotation limits understanding of its molecular mechanisms and hampers the identification of novel therapeutic targets. In this study, we systematically performed functional annotation of essential hypothetical proteins from the BNI-3166 strain using an integrative-in-silico approach to uncover potential drug and vaccine candidates. 2,367 protein-coding sequences were retrieved from the RefSeq database and were identified 356 as hypothetical proteins. Using BLASTp, we screened these HPs against the Database of Essential Genes and the human proteome to identify essential non-homologous proteins, resulting in 20 ENH candidates. Functional annotation was performed using several domain-based databases, including Pfam, InterPro, SMART, and SUPERFAMILY. Subsequently, physicochemical properties were analyzed and predicted subcellular localization using PSORTb and CELLO. To assess druggability, the ChEMBL database was used. Virulence factors using VFDB, VICMpred, and VirulentPred 2.0 were also predicted. Gene Ontology annotations were generated via ARGOT2.5. Furthermore, we explored protein-protein interactions using STRING and predicted tertiary structures with AlphaFold3. Moreover, Ligand binding pockets were predicted using PrankWeb, and antigenicity of vaccine candidates was assessed using VaxiJen v2.0. We identified 20 essential non-homologous hypothetical proteins, of which 10 were confidently annotated based on conserved domain analysis. These proteins were classified as enzymes, binding proteins, transporters, regulatory proteins, and potential virulence factors. Among them, eight exhibited characteristics of promising drug targets, while two showed potential as vaccine candidates based on subcellular localization. Druggability analysis revealed that nine proteins had no similarity to known drug targets, suggesting novel therapeutic potential. Predicted 3D structures generated using AlphaFold3 yielded pTM scores ranging from 0.44 to 0.92, indicating acceptable to high modeling confidence. Ligand binding site analysis confirmed druggability in six candidates, and antigenicity screening identified one protein as a potential vaccine target. This study provides a computational framework for identifying functionally important proteins in A. butzleri BNI-3166 and highlights novel therapeutic candidates for experimental validation, offering new directions in drug and vaccine development against this underexplored pathogen.
Key words: Aliarcobacter butzleri, Drug Target Identification, Functional Annotation, Hypothetical Proteins, In Silico Analysis
Received: 08.07.2025; Accepted: 01.09.2025; Early view: 24.09.2025 Published: 10.01.2026
DOI: 10.62063/ecb-66
Citation: Paul, S., Barua, S., & Barua, J.D. (2026). In-silico functional annotation and structural characterization of hypothetical proteins from Aliarcobacter butzleri BNI-3166: Insights into novel virulence and drug targets. The European chemistry and biotechnology journal, 5, 22-39. https://doi.org/10.62063/ecb-66
The copyrights of the studies published in The European Chemistry and Biotechnology Journal (EUCHEMBIOJ) belong to their authors
This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)(https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/).
: Enemies on the GameCube version are often noted for being more aggressive, frequently dodging shots and blocking attacks compared to later ports.
Unlike the PlayStation 2 version, which fit the entire game on a single DVD, the GameCube version utilized proprietary . Due to the high-quality textures, cinematic cutscenes, and the sheer length of the campaign, Capcom had to split the game across two discs.
Resident Evil 4 - Disc 2: The Definitive Guide to the GameCube Classic
: Picks up mid-way through the Castle and follows Leon and Ashley to the high-tech Island facility for the game's explosive finale. The GameCube Experience: Why It’s Still Popular
When searching for game files on platforms like RomsMania, it is crucial to ensure you have both disc images to finish the game.
: The unique layout of the GameCube controller is often cited as the most comfortable way to navigate the game's over-the-shoulder shooting mechanics. What to Know Before Downloading from RomsMania
: Covers Leon's arrival in the village, the initial encounter with the Ganados, and the struggle through the expansive Castle grounds.
For many retro gamers, is the pinnacle of survival horror. While modern remakes and HD ports exist, there is a certain charm to the original 2005 release—specifically the two-disc physical edition for the Nintendo GameCube . If you are looking for "Resident Evil 4 - Disc 2" on sites like RomsMania, you are likely trying to complete the full experience of Leon S. Kennedy's grueling mission in rural Spain. Why Does Resident Evil 4 Have Two Discs?
: Enemies on the GameCube version are often noted for being more aggressive, frequently dodging shots and blocking attacks compared to later ports.
Unlike the PlayStation 2 version, which fit the entire game on a single DVD, the GameCube version utilized proprietary . Due to the high-quality textures, cinematic cutscenes, and the sheer length of the campaign, Capcom had to split the game across two discs.
Resident Evil 4 - Disc 2: The Definitive Guide to the GameCube Classic
: Picks up mid-way through the Castle and follows Leon and Ashley to the high-tech Island facility for the game's explosive finale. The GameCube Experience: Why It’s Still Popular
When searching for game files on platforms like RomsMania, it is crucial to ensure you have both disc images to finish the game.
: The unique layout of the GameCube controller is often cited as the most comfortable way to navigate the game's over-the-shoulder shooting mechanics. What to Know Before Downloading from RomsMania
: Covers Leon's arrival in the village, the initial encounter with the Ganados, and the struggle through the expansive Castle grounds.
For many retro gamers, is the pinnacle of survival horror. While modern remakes and HD ports exist, there is a certain charm to the original 2005 release—specifically the two-disc physical edition for the Nintendo GameCube . If you are looking for "Resident Evil 4 - Disc 2" on sites like RomsMania, you are likely trying to complete the full experience of Leon S. Kennedy's grueling mission in rural Spain. Why Does Resident Evil 4 Have Two Discs?