Cui Haifeng

A Preliminary Study on Proteome Variations Associated with Gall Formation in Zizania latifolia Trucs

Zizania latifolia Trucs is a uniquely flavored aquatic vegetable found in southern and eastern Asia. Several physiology and genetic approaches have been employed to increase our knowledge about the physiological basis of gall formation; however, as yet, data at the proteomic level are not available. Protein yield and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis were used to determine the most appropriate protein extraction methods for use in this study. Total proteins were extracted from the culm tissue at three relevant developmental stages and separated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. The number and abundance of spots varied among the two-dimensional gel electrophoresis gels at the three stages. Proteins with more than 1.7-fold abundance between the different stages were monitored. We identified 10 well-resolved spots by matrix-assisted laser-desorption ionization/time-of-flight peptide mass fingerprinting and tandem mass spectrometry. Some spots linked to signal transduction of the phytohormone could be identified. The expression volume of these spots transiently increased during the expansion phase. In contrast, the spots linked to phytoene dehydrogenase and methionine synthase or pyrophosphate-dependent phosphofructokinase were more abundant during gall formation, showing an increase in spot intensity during development and maximal abundance in mature gall. Higher intensity was also found in the spots linked to stress response. We discuss protein variations, considering their potential role during gall formation and comparing our results with established variations at metabolite-profiling levels.