ARS | Publication request: PROTEOME ANALYSIS OF NEAR ISOGENIC MAIZE LINES DIFFERING IN THE LEVEL OF RESISTANCE AGAINST ASPERGILLUS FLAVUS INFECTION/AFLATOXIN PRODUCTION

Submitted to: Phytopathology
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: May 15, 2005
Publication Date: July 15, 2005
Citation: Chen, Z.-Y., Brown, R.L., Menkir, A., Damann, K., Cleveland, T.E. 2005. Proteome analysis of near isogenic maize lines differing in the level of resistance against Aspergillus flavus infection/aflatoxin production [abstract]. Phytopathology. 95:S19.

Technical Abstract: Maize kernels of 63 S4 lines with resistance to foliar diseases were extracted from populations developed from various crosses between aflatoxin resistant U.S. lines and African lines demonstrated potential resistance in the Kernel Screening Assay (KSA). KSA analysis identified 5 pairs of lines with contrasting levels of aflatoxin between members of each pair, although the genetic background of each pair member was very similar. Proteome analysis was performed on these lines. Embryo and endosperm proteins were extracted separately from each of these lines, resolved using large format 2-D gels, and compared for qualitative and quantitative differences within a pair and across 5 pairs using Progenesis Discovery gel analysis software. Over 30 proteins that are unique or significantly differentially expressed in more than one pair were then sequenced using ESI-MS/MS. Some of these identified proteins are storage proteins, some are stress-related proteins, and some are antifungal proteins or proteins involved in signal transduction processes. One such protein is currently being cloned and further characterized to determine whether it plays a direct role in maize resistance to A. flavus infection and aflatoxin production.