Physiological and proteome studies of responses to heat stress during grain filling in contrasting wheat cultivars

Experiments to explore physiological and biochemical differences of the effects of heat stress in ten wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars have been performed. Based on the response of photosynthesis rates, cell membrane lipid peroxide concentrations and grain yield to heat, six cultivars were clustered as heat-tolerant (cv. '579′, cv. '810′, cv. '1110′, cv. Terice, cv. Taifun and cv. Vinjett) and four as heat-sensitive (cv. '490′, cv. '633′, cv. '1039′ and cv. '1159′). Higher rates of photosynthetic carbon- and light-use were accompanied by lower damage to cell membranes in leaves of tolerant compared to sensitive cultivars under heat stress. The tolerant cv. '810′ and the sensitive cv. '1039′ were selected for further proteome analysis of leaves. Proteins related to photosynthesis, glycolysis, stress defence, heat shock and ATP production were differently expressed in leaves of the tolerant and sensitive cultivar under heat stress in relation to the corresponding control. The abundance of proteins related to signal transduction, heat shock, photosynthesis, and antioxidants increased, while the abundance of proteins related to nitrogen metabolism decreased in the tolerant cv. '810′ under heat stress as compared to the control. Collectively, the results indicate that primarily changes in both the amount and activities of enzymes involved in photosynthesis and antioxidant activities in leaves contributed to higher heat tolerance in the cv. '810′ compared to the heat sensitive cv. '1039′.