Phosphorylation of SNW1 protein associated with equine melanocytic neoplasm identified in serum and feces

Equine melanocytic neoplasm (EMN) represents a form of skin tumor observed predominantly in grey horses aged over 15 years. Despite its prevalence, current therapeutic and preventive strategies for EMN have been subject to limited investigation. This study endeavors to shed light on potential phosphoproteins present in equine serum and fecal samples, potentially linked to EMN, with a specific focus on functional interactions in EMN pathogenesis. We examined 50 samples (25 serum, 25 feces), divided into three groups based on EMN severity: normal (n = 16), mild (n = 18), and severe EMN (n = 16). Equine phosphoproteome analysis identified 2,359 annotated serum phosphoproteins and 2002 annotated fecal phosphoproteins through differentially expressed proteins (DEPs). KEGG analysis emphasized the role of environmental information processing. Notably, the integrin NF-kappaB binding P-TEFb to stimulate transcriptional elongation signaling pathway, involving SNW1 protein, was implicated in early stage of EMN development in both serum and fecal samples. This highlights SNW1's potential role in mediating transcriptional processes, offering a novel marker within environmental information processing. This study enhances understanding of EMN mechanisms in horses, suggesting early detection through non-invasive methods and identifying a functional pathway involving SNW1, which could inform future treatment and prevention strategies.