Comparative proteomic analysis of the response in resistant and susceptible maize inbred lines to infection by Curvularia lunata

Proteins differentially expressed from maize leaves in response to the infection by Curvularia lunata strain CX-3 were identified through a high-resolution two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) method. Two inbred lines, 78599-1 and E28, were used, respectively, as resistant and susceptible lines to CX-3 infection. Proteins were extracted from the fourth leaves of six- or seven-leaf stage plants sampled at 24, 36, 48, 60, and 72 h after inoculation with CX-3. Twenty-seven differentially expressed protein spots resolved on the 2-DE gels were identified by MALDI-TOF MS/MS. The results showed that these proteins are associated with photosynthesis, respiration, oxidative and drought stress tolerance as well as signal transduction in maize. Among stress-related proteins, the 22 kDa drought-inducible protein, putative glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and translation initiation factor (eIF-5A) were up-regulated in the resistant inbred line and were implicated in host defense response to C. lunata infection. It suggests that drought-inducible and oxidation stress-related proteins might directly contribute to maize resistance to C. lunata.