Comparison of maize proteins of resistant and susceptible genotypes to Fusarium verticillioides infection

FAUGUEL CM; CAMPOS BERMUDEZ VA; PRESELLO DA; ANDREO CS

Congreso; XLVIII Reunión Anual de la SAIB; 2012

A proteomics approach was assessed to identify proteins whose level of expression was associated with maize kernel resistance against F. verticillioides infection. Proteins from a resistant and susceptible inbred have been compared using 2-D gel electrophoresis. Twenty four protein spots have been identified and sequenced. These proteins can be grouped into three categories based on their peptide sequence homology: 1) storage proteins, such as globulin 1, and late embryogenesis abundant proteins; 2) stress-related proteins, such as a superoxide dismutase, mismatch repared protein and 3) metabolism related protein such as, triosephosphate isomerase, sorbitol deshidrogenase, several heat shock proteins and a glyoxalase I protein. We establish that the resistant inbred had more constitutive expression of proteins than the susceptible inbred. Although the objective of this investigation was to identify antifungal proteins associated with Fusarium resistance, the majority of those identified were stress related proteins and storage proteins. These data suggest that kernel resistance may require not only the presence of high levels of antifungal proteins. Possession of unique or higher levels of constitutively expressed proteins may put resistant lines in an advantageous position over susceptible ones in the ability to synthesize proteins and defend against pathogens while under stress.