Dataset Information

The Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) Prostate: A Proteomic Perspective on Gland Segmentation

ABSTRACT: Australia’s most iconic animal, the koala (Phascolarctos cinereus), faces significant population decline from habitat loss, disease, and environmental pressures. Conservation has focused on assisted breeding technology and reproductive pathologies, yet koala reproductive biology remains poorly understood, particularly the accessory sex glands. The koala prostate has an important role both in the production of seminal plasma and in facilitating successful reproduction. Furthermore, prostatitis regularly occurs as a consequence of chlamydiosis, a substantial factor in the ongoing decline of koalas. This study presents the first proteomic profile of the koala prostate, offering insights into its histological segmentation and its broader functional significance. Prostate tissue from six mature male koalas was collected during breeding season, sampling the anterior and posterior segments. Proteins were digested using filter-aided sample preparation and analysed via LC-MS/MS with Zeno-SWATH acquisition. Peptide spectra were processed using DIA-NN and evaluated in RStudio™ to identify differentially expressed proteins and compare the koala prostate proteome with those of other species. Functional annotation and pathway analysis were performed using DAVID and Ingenuity Pathway Analysis, while secretory protein predictions were conducted using UniProt and SignalP. Segment-specific proteomic profiles revealed proteomic differentiation with secretory proteins contributing to segment-specific functions. Cross-species comparisons highlight strong homology between the koala and human prostate proteomes. This proteome provides a foundation for future investigations into prostate-related pathologies in koalas. Furthermore, Understanding the koala prostate at a molecular level helps advance wildlife conservation through a better comprehension of its role in male fertility and offers broader evolutionary insights into marsupial reproduction.

INSTRUMENT(S):

ORGANISM(S): Phascolarctos Cinereus (koala)

TISSUE(S): Prostate Gland

SUBMITTER: Yolande Campbell

LAB HEAD: Taylor Pini

PROVIDER: PXD067256 | Pride | 2026-01-23

REPOSITORIES: Pride

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Dataset's files

Source:

			Action	DRS
	Supplementary_data.xlsx	Xlsx
	protein_report_from_DiaNN.pg_matrix.tsv.xlsx	Xlsx
	protein_report_from_DiaNN.speclib	Other
	protein_report_from_DiaNN.tsv	Tabular

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Publications

The koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) prostate: a proteomic perspective on gland segmentation.

Campbell Yolande Y Johnston Stephen D SD Palmieri Chiara C Pini Taylor T

Biology of reproduction 20260101 1

Australia's most iconic animal, the koala (Phascolarctos cinereus), faces significant population decline and while conservation has focused on assisted breeding technology and reproductive pathologies, koala reproductive biology remains poorly understood. In particular, the koala (P. cinereus) prostate has a vital role in the production of seminal plasma and facilitating successful reproduction. Furthermore, prostatitis regularly occurs as a consequence of chlamydiosis, a substantial factor in t ...[more]

PMID: 40966622

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