Proteomic analysis of seed viability in maize

Abstract

To identify specific proteins related to maize seed viability, seeds of Zhengdan 958 (one of the highyield maize hybrids in China) were sorted based on viability evaluation with triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) assay and used for comparative proteomic analysis. After TTC staining, embryos of high-viability seeds were deep red (R type), while embryos of dead seeds were white (W type). Proteomic analysis revealed that 28 protein spots identified were differently expressed significantly between R and W embryos, of which 20 were up-regulated and 8 down-regulated in R embryos. Among them were proteins involved in stress response, protein folding, and stabilization, as wells as proteins related to nutrient reservoir and metabolism. Prominently, small heat shock proteins, late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) proteins, and antioxidant enzymes were highly up-regulated, while two proteases were highly down-regulated in R embryos compared to W embryos. One of LEA proteins was EMB564, which declined in abundance during artificial aging of seeds. Our results suggested an association of EMB564 with maize seed viability. It would be of interest to use these small proteins to develop quick tests for seed quality.

Exogenous melatonin expediently modifies proteome of maize (Zea mays L.) embryo during seed germination

“…With regard to that overexpression of gliceraldehyd-3-phosphate-dechydrogenase observed by us was also mentioned by other authors (Gallardo et al 2001;Catusse et al 2011;Wu et al 2011), however, other glycolytic or Krebs cycle enzymes indicated as vigour markers were different depending on the seed type. In addition, Catusse et al (2011) also pointed to the voltage-dependent anion channels (VDACs) as these markers, which were confirmed neither by other authors nor by us.…”

“…The seed variants: nt and H, were the reference for the detection of melatonin-associated proteins, since it is well known that already the conditioning with water provokes modifications in seed proteome (Catusse et al 2011;Wu et al 2011;Gallardo et al 2001).…”

“…Particularly, important are those considered to be anti-stress proteins, e.g. HSP, LEA, TRX, and other general stress proteins (Gallardo et al 2001;Catusse et al 2011;Wu et al 2011). Especially, many of these proteins were determined in the corn seeds conditioned with melatonin.…”

“…Therefore, it is necessary to develop molecular markers improved vigour of primed seeds for commercial seed lots. Proteomics become widely applicable in seed research as a novel tool for protein characterisation and function analysis (Catusse et al 2011;Gallardo et al 2001;Wu et al 2011). Seeds develop differently in dicots and monocots, especially the changes induced by priming treatment.…”

Qualidade fisiológica de sementes de berinjela osmocondicionadas submetidas à secagem

“…Essas são proteínas de choque térmico, que são responsáveis pela estabilização da conformação de outras proteínas e estão associadas à viabilidade das sementes durante a maturação e o armazenamento, além de protegerem outras moléculas durante a secagem, o que confere tolerância à dessecação (Wu et al, 2011).…”