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/).
For retro gaming enthusiasts and Pro Evolution Soccer (PES) modders, remains one of the most powerful and nostalgic tools ever created. Popularized during the golden era of Pro Evolution Soccer (PES 4, PES 5, and PES 6) , this software allows users to access, extract, edit, and patch internal game files.
: The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only. Fans are advised to use legitimate streaming platforms to access Korean content.
: Open, browse, and extract internal audio, video, and graphic files from the game directory.
Because DKz Studio is a legacy modding tool from the mid-2000s, it is no longer hosted on an official developer site. You can find archived versions on reputable community modding sites:
Select "No" or cancel any automatic update pop-ups immediately to continue using the software locally.
Because this is legacy software, it is no longer hosted on a "primary" official website. To download it safely, you should look toward reputable abandonware and modding repositories.
Launch DKZ Studio, go to (Settings) in the top menu, select Idioma (Language), and switch it to English . Restart the program. System Compatibility and Troubleshooting
Open and edit the .afs files that contain all the game's data.
This public link is valid for 7 days and shares a thread, including any personal information you added. This link or copies made by others cannot be deleted. If you share with third parties, their policies apply. Can’t copy the link right now. Try again later.
Convert standard WAV files into the ADX format used by retro consoles. Where to Find the DKZ Studio English Version Link
While the developer (Dulcedo) is Spanish-speaking, the official page is the central hub for the English-speaking community. Here is what you will find there:
If you need help configuring specific game files, please share you are modding, your operating system , and any specific error messages you encounter. Share public link
Whether you are modding for a or the native PC version .
Complete the initial installation wizard using the standard defaults.
Mod DB (Mod Database) is a legitimate, community-driven hub for game modifications and tools. It hosts verified uploads of the original software. You can find DkzStudio_0.92B.rar here, usually without any malware bundled in the downloader.
: It allows users to open .AFS containers, export underlying game assets (textures, text files, and configurations), and repackage them safely.
When searching for a functional , it is vital to source your download from trusted retro gaming forums and preservation archives rather than untrusted third-party utility sites. Platforms like the EvoWeb Forums maintain dedicated classic editing sections where users archive verified, virus-free links to DKZ Studio v0.92B (the final stable release) along with its English localization files. Step 1: Download and Extract
Once you download and open the program, you do not need a separate "English version." Go to View > Language > English .
For retro gaming enthusiasts and Pro Evolution Soccer (PES) modders, remains one of the most powerful and nostalgic tools ever created. Popularized during the golden era of Pro Evolution Soccer (PES 4, PES 5, and PES 6) , this software allows users to access, extract, edit, and patch internal game files.
: The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only. Fans are advised to use legitimate streaming platforms to access Korean content.
: Open, browse, and extract internal audio, video, and graphic files from the game directory.
Because DKz Studio is a legacy modding tool from the mid-2000s, it is no longer hosted on an official developer site. You can find archived versions on reputable community modding sites:
Select "No" or cancel any automatic update pop-ups immediately to continue using the software locally. dkz studio english version link
Because this is legacy software, it is no longer hosted on a "primary" official website. To download it safely, you should look toward reputable abandonware and modding repositories.
Launch DKZ Studio, go to (Settings) in the top menu, select Idioma (Language), and switch it to English . Restart the program. System Compatibility and Troubleshooting
Open and edit the .afs files that contain all the game's data.
This public link is valid for 7 days and shares a thread, including any personal information you added. This link or copies made by others cannot be deleted. If you share with third parties, their policies apply. Can’t copy the link right now. Try again later. For retro gaming enthusiasts and Pro Evolution Soccer
Convert standard WAV files into the ADX format used by retro consoles. Where to Find the DKZ Studio English Version Link
While the developer (Dulcedo) is Spanish-speaking, the official page is the central hub for the English-speaking community. Here is what you will find there:
If you need help configuring specific game files, please share you are modding, your operating system , and any specific error messages you encounter. Share public link
Whether you are modding for a or the native PC version . Fans are advised to use legitimate streaming platforms
Complete the initial installation wizard using the standard defaults.
Mod DB (Mod Database) is a legitimate, community-driven hub for game modifications and tools. It hosts verified uploads of the original software. You can find DkzStudio_0.92B.rar here, usually without any malware bundled in the downloader.
: It allows users to open .AFS containers, export underlying game assets (textures, text files, and configurations), and repackage them safely.
When searching for a functional , it is vital to source your download from trusted retro gaming forums and preservation archives rather than untrusted third-party utility sites. Platforms like the EvoWeb Forums maintain dedicated classic editing sections where users archive verified, virus-free links to DKZ Studio v0.92B (the final stable release) along with its English localization files. Step 1: Download and Extract
Once you download and open the program, you do not need a separate "English version." Go to View > Language > English .