Distribution of Antifungal Proteins in Maize Kernel Tissues Using Immunochemistry

Abstract

This study examined the distribution of two antifungal proteins, ribosome-inactivating protein (RIP) and zeamatin, in maize kernel tissues. Proteins were extracted from endosperm (including aleurone layer) and embryo tissues of imbibed maize kernels. Western blot analyses revealed that RIP-like protein was present at higher levels in endosperm than in embryo tissues, whereas zeamatin-like protein was more concentrated in embryo tissues than in endosperm tissues. However, there were three protein bands in the endosperm and two bands in the embryo that reacted to anti-RIP antibody in Western blot analyses. Tissue prints were conducted to localize the antifungal proteins. Imbibed kernels were cut longitudinally and transversely and blotted onto nitrocellulose membranes. Using antibodies against maize RIP and zeamatin, RIP was found primarily in the aleurone layer of the endosperm and glandular layer of scutellum, whereas zeamatin was located mainly in the kernel embryo. These results provide insight into the potential functions of these antifungal proteins, especially since the presence of RIP and zeamatin within maize kernels uniquely protects kernels from pathogens.

The Triploid Endosperm Genome ofArabidopsisAdopts a Peculiar, Parental-Dosage-Dependent Chromatin Organization

“…It is largely consumed either by the developing embryo or after germination by the seedling (Lopes and Larkins, 1993). In addition to storage and nourishing functions (Lopes and Larkins, 1993;Weschke et al, 2003), the endosperm plays a protective role and secretes antifungal peptides (Guo et al, 1999;Serna et al, 2001;Balandin et al, 2005). This central role as an embryo nurse tissue may provide an evolutionary explanation for the unusual genetic constitution of the endosperm.…”

Heterotrimeric G‐proteins of a filamentous fungus regulate cell wall composition and susceptibility to a plant PR‐5 protein

“…Plant PR proteins (pathogenesis‐related proteins) have been associated with normal resistance to aflatoxin‐producing fungi ( Guo et al . 1997 ; Guo et al . 1999 ; Lozovaya et al .…”

Endophyte transmission via seeds of Lolium perenne L.: immunodetection of fungal antigens

“…The two pathways of transmission, i.e., direct colonization of the embryo sac before fertilization and indirect colonization of the embryo after fertilization, are known to function in seed transmission of some diseases of viral, bacterial or fungal nature, and-significantly-these pathways are not mutually exclusive (Guo et al, 1999;Maule and Wang, 1996;Wang and Maule, 1994). It has been postulated that these alternative mechanisms might be affected by different sets of host genes.…”