Cold-modulated small proteins abundance in winter triticale (x Triticosecale, Wittm.) seedlings tolerant to the pink snow mould (Microdochium nivale, Samuels & Hallett) infection

Abstract

Two winter triticale (x Triticosecale Wittmack) model cultivars: Hewo (tolerant to pink snow mould) and Magnat (sensitive) were used to test the effect of cold-hardening (4 weeks at 4°C) on soluble ≤50 kDa protein profiles of the seedling leaves. The presence and abundance of individual proteins were analysed via two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) and Surface-Enhanced Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight (SELDI-TOF). Up to now, no proteomics analysis of triticale response to hardening has been performed. Thus, the present paper is the first in the series describing the obtained results. In our experiments, the exposure to the low temperature-induced only quantitative changes in the leaves of both cultivars, causing either an increase or decrease of 4–50 kDa protein abundance. Among proteins which were cold-accumulated in cv. Hewo’s leaves, we identified two thioredoxin peroxidases (chloroplastic thiol-specific antioxidant proteins) as well as mitochondrial- β-ATP synthase subunit and ADP-binding resistance protein. On the contrary, in hardened seedlings of this genotype, we observed the decreased level of chloroplastic RuBisCO small subunit PW9 and epidermal peroxidase 10. Simultaneous SELDI-TOF analysis revealed several low mass proteins better represented in cold-hardened plants of tolerant genotype in comparison to the sensitive one and the impact of both genotype and temperature on their level. Based on those results, we suggest that indicated proteins might be potential candidates for molecular markers of cold-induced snow mould resistance of winter triticale and their role is worth to be investigated in the further inoculation experiments.

The Genome Regions Associated with Abiotic and Biotic Stress Tolerance, as Well as Other Important Breeding Traits in Triticale

“…Low temperature (4 weeks at 4 °C) may increase the tolerance of triticale seedlings to stresses coexisting with cold in winter, which may persistently follow throughout the early spring period and even in the adult phase of the plant [ 16 , 23 , 28 , 32 , 51 , 52 ]. Tolerance to pink snow mold caused by M. nivale appears after a period of hardening with low temperature and is a genotype-dependent, complex feature significant for wintering seedlings [ 23 , 31 , 32 , 52 , 53 ]. Furthermore, Dyda et al [ 31 ] presented new insights into the mechanism of triticale resistance to M. nivale .…”

“…The proteomic profiling allowed for the identification of candidate proteins associated with the cold acclimation of triticale seedlings [ 53 ] as well as the tolerance to freezing and pink mold infection [ 52 ]. The content of individual proteins was analyzed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) and matrix-enhanced time-of-flight laser desorption/ionization (SELDI-TOF).…”

“…Low temperature exposure of seedlings only caused quantitative changes in the leaves of both cultivar parents, causing an increase or decrease in the abundance of the proteins with a molecular weight of 4–50 kDa. Among the proteins accumulated under the influence of cold in the leaves of the tolerant cultivar ‘Hewo’, two thioperoxidases (antioxidant proteins specific for chloroplastic thiols) as well as a subunit of mitochondrial ATP synthase and ADP-binding resistance protein were identified [ 53 ]. On the other hand, in low-temperature hardened seedlings of this genotype, a reduced level of the small subunit RuBisCO and the PW9 subunit of peroxidase 10 was observed.…”

“…It was shown that the triticale genotype and seedling treatment may influence the level of TBARS, which is well-known as a marker of oxidative stress in response to different abiotic and biotic factors. Plant resistance after cold hardening [ 56 ], cold-enhanced gene expression at seedling stage [ 57 ], cold-modulated small protein abundance at the seedling stage [ 53 ], presence and concentration of free and cell wall-bound phenolic acids [ 51 ], cold-modulated leaf compounds [ 52 ], cold-induced changes in cell wall stability [ 58 ], and changes in the physical and chemical leaf properties [ 59 ] were tested on the ‘Hewo’ × ‘Magnat’ population after M. nivale infection and provided new insights on triticale cold-acclimation as well as plant vs. pathogen interactions.…”

Snow mold of winter cereals: a complex disease and a challenge for resistance breeding

“…A potential role in defensive response to M. nivale infection was proposed for catalase, peroxidase, and thiolspecific antioxidant proteins (Gołebiowska-Pikania and Golemiec 2015) in winter triticale. Recently, Gołebiowska et al (2019) concluded that genotype and cold treatment significantly affected the amount of small proteins in winter triticale leaves. The pattern of these proteins could be correlated with the level of the resistance to pink snow mold infection.…”