Table 3.
The functional enrichment analysis of the conserved target genes among three replicates based on GO terms and protein information resources of Swiss-Prot.
| Category | Term | p-Value |
|---|---|---|
| Early stage | ||
| SP_PIR_KEYWORDS | Metal binding | 5.73E−05 |
| SP_PIR_KEYWORD | Disease mutation | 0.002178622 |
| GOTERM_BP_FAT | GO:0048858~cell projection morphogenesis | 0.004720934 |
| GOTERM_BP_FAT | GO:0002252~immune effector process | 0.021024346 |
| SP_PIR_KEYWORDS | Tight junction | 0.04930793 |
| Late stage | ||
| SP_PIR_KEYWORDS | Secreted | 8.84E−04 |
| GOTERM_BP_FAT | GO:0042116~macrophage activation | 0.002396512 |
| GOTERM_BP_FAT | GO:0006954~inflammatory response | 0.007684734 |
| GOTERM_BP_FAT | GO:0051181~cofactor transport | 0.009323758 |
| GOTERM_BP_FAT | GO:0006910~phagocytosis, recognition | 0.040000612 |
The early stage of C. difficile infection is characterized by the change of cell shape and tight junction and this could result from the activities of GTPases and pathogen toxins. The metal-binding ability is crucial for both host and pathogen cells due to its important role in the scramble of metallic nutrients and the transport of toxic molecule, including ROS. Signaling in the case of the early stage of infection was increased for immune response, while signaling in the case of the late stage of infection was increased for the abundant cellular processes, including macrophage activation, phagocytosis, and inflammatory response. The cofactor transport and secretion-related process also contribute to the cytokine production and secretion.