Abiotic stress responsive proteins of wheat grain determined using proteomics technique

The analysis of stress-responsiveness in plants is an important route to the discovery of genes conferring stress tolerance. Evaluation of two-dimensional electrophoresis gels revealed many proteins to be differentially expressed as a result of abiotic stress among cultivars. More than 140 protein spots were detected by 2-DE, and some selected protein spots analyzed by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. 22.58 % of abiotic stress responsive proteins were identified in cv. China-108, 32.25 % in cv. Yeonnon-78, 70.96 % in cv. Norin-61 and 69.35 % in cv. Kantou-107. Of the total identified proteins, 124 proteins were recognized as abiotic stress responsive unique proteins, of which 31.56 % are induced by heat, 26.61 % by drought, 23.38 % by salt, 21.77 % by cold and 22.58 % by other environmental stress. Furthermore, elucidating the function of proteins expressed by genes in stress tolerant and susceptible plants will not only advance our understanding of plant adaptation but also tolerance to environmental stresses. Genes that have been identified by proteomics can be used for marker-assisted breeding or gene transformation programs to improve the architecture of crop plants and resistance or tolerance to abiotic stresses.