ARS | Publication request: PROTEOMICS TO IDENTIFY RESISTANCE FACTORS IN CORN

Submitted to: Mycotoxin Research
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: December 28, 2005
Publication Date: January 15, 2006
Citation: Brown, R.L., Chen, Z., Menkir, A., Cleveland, T.E. 2006. Proteomics to identify resistance factors in corn. Mycotoxin Research. 22(1):22-26.

Technical Abstract: Various approaches to eliminating aflatoxins from susceptible crops have been proposed, however, the most widely explored strategy is the development of preharvest host resistance. This is because Aspergillus flavus infects affected crops prior to harvest. In corn production, the host resistance strategy has also gained prominence because of advances in the discovery of natural resistance traits, such as proteins. This progress was aided by the development of a rapid laboratory-based kernel screening assay (KSA) used to separate resistant from susceptible seed, and to investigate kernel resistance. A. flavus GUS transformants were also used, in conjunction with the KSA, to assess the amount of fungal growth in kernels and compare it with aflatoxin accumulation. Several proteins associated with resistance (RAPs) have been identified using 1 D PAGE. Proteomics is now being used to further the identification of RAPs.