Comparative proteomics of leaf, stem, and root tissues of synthetic Brassica napus

Fourteen years of plant proteomics reflected in Proteomics: moving from model species and 2DE-based approaches to orphan species and gel-free platforms

In this article, the topic of plant proteomics is reviewed based on related papers published in the journal Proteomics since publication of the first issue in 2001. In total, around 300 original papers and 41 reviews published in Proteomics between 2000 and 2014 have been surveyed. Our main objective for this review is to help bridge the gap between plant biologists and proteomics technologists, two often very separate groups. Over the past years a number of reviews on plant proteomics have been published . To avoid repetition we have focused on more recent literature published after 2010, and have chosen to rather make continuous reference to older publications. The use of the latest proteomics techniques and their integration with other approaches in the "systems biology" direction are discussed more in detail. Finally we comment on the recent history, state of the art, and future directions of plant proteomics, using publications in Proteomics to illustrate the progress in the field. The review is organized into two major blocks, the first devoted to provide an overview of experimental systems (plants, plant organs, biological processes) and the second one to the methodology.

Identification of differentially accumulating pistil proteins associated with self-incompatibility of non-heading Chinese cabbage

Non-heading Chinese cabbage (Brassica campestris L. ssp. chinensis Makino), an important vegetable crop in China, exhibits a typical sporophytic self-incompatibility (SI) system. To better understand the mechanism of SI response and identify potential candidate proteins involved in the SI system of this vegetable crop, the proteomic approach was taken to identify differential accumulating pistil proteins. Pistils were collected at 0 h and 2 h after self-pollination at anthesis in self-incompatible and compatible lines of non-heading Chinese cabbage, and total proteins were extracted and separated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE). A total of 25 protein spots that displayed differential abundance were identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF/TOF MS) and peptide mass fingerprinting (PMF). Among them, 22 protein spots were confidently established. The mRNA levels of the corresponding genes were detected by quantitative RT-PCR. The 22 identified protein spots are involved in energy metabolism (four), protein biosynthesis (three), photosynthesis (six), stress response and defence (five), and protein degradation (four). Among these potential candidate proteins, UDP-sugar pyrophosphorylase could be involved in sucrose degradation to influence pollen germination and growth. Glutathione S-transferases could be involved in pollen maturation, and affect pollen fertility. Senescence-associated cysteine protease, which is related to programmed cell death, could be mainly related to self pollen recognition of non-heading Chinese cabbage. The study will contribute to further investigations of molecular mechanism of sporophytic SI in Brassicaceae.

Investigation of proteomic profiles of lamina of Ecklonia kurome (Laminariales): homology-based cross-species protein identification and analysis of the post-translational processing of vanadium-dependent bromoperoxidases using MALDI-TOF/TOF

Proteomic profiles of the lamina of Ecklonia kurome Okamura, one of the Japanese dominant laminarialean kelps, were investigated by two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) and MALDI-TOF/TOF. Due to the absence of E. kurome DNA or protein databases, homology-based cross-species protein identification was performed using a combination of three database-searching algorithms, Mascot peptide mass fingerprinting, Mascot MS/MS ion search, and mass spectrometry-based BLAST. Proteins were extracted from the lamina by an ethanol/phenol method and subjected to 2-DE (pI 4-7, 10 % polyacrylamide gel). More than 700 spots were detected in the 2-DE gel with CBB, and 93 spots (24 proteins) were successfully identified by MALDI-TOF/TOF and the cross-species database searching. The identified proteins mainly consisted of cytoplasmic carbohydrate metabolic enzymes, chloroplast proteins involved in photosynthesis, and haloperoxidases. Interestingly, vanadium-dependent bromoperoxidases (vBPO), which is thought to be involved in halogen uptake, synthesis of halogenated products, and detoxification of reactive oxygen species, were separated into at least 23 different spots. By comparing mass spectra, amino acid sequences predicted from tandem mass spectra and haloperoxidase activities of the vBPOs, we found that (1) at least two types of vBPOs were expressed in the lamina of E. kurome and (2) two pro-vBPOs might be activated by specific cleavage at N- and C-terminal regions.

Molecular tools for exploring polyploid genomes in plants

Polyploidy is a very common phenomenon in the plant kingdom, where even diploid species are often described as paleopolyploids. The polyploid condition may bring about several advantages compared to the diploid state. Polyploids often show phenotypes that are not present in their diploid progenitors or exceed the range of the contributing species. Some of these traits may play a role in heterosis or could favor adaptation to new ecological niches. Advances in genomics and sequencing technology may create unprecedented opportunities for discovering and monitoring the molecular effects of polyploidization. Through this review, we provide an overview of technologies and strategies that may allow an in-depth analysis of polyploid genomes. After introducing some basic aspects on the origin and genetics of polyploids, we highlight the main tools available for genome and gene expression analysis and summarize major findings. In the last part of this review, the implications of next generation sequencing are briefly discussed. The accumulation of knowledge on polyploid formation, maintenance, and divergence at whole-genome and subgenome levels will not only help plant biologists to understand how plants have evolved and diversified, but also assist plant breeders in designing new strategies for crop improvement.

Proteomic divergence in Arabidopsis autopolyploids and allopolyploids and their progenitors

Autopolyploidy and allopolyploidy are common in many plants and some animals. Rapid changes in genomic composition and gene expression have been observed in both autopolyploids and allopolyploids, but the effects of polyploidy on proteomic divergence are poorly understood. Here, we report quantitative analysis of protein changes in leaves of Arabidopsis autopolyploids and allotetraploids and their progenitors using isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ) coupled with mass spectrometry. In more than 1000 proteins analyzed, the levels of protein divergence were relatively high (~18%) between Arabidopsis thaliana and Arabidopsis arenosa, relatively low (~6.8%) between an A. thaliana diploid and autotetraploid and intermediate (~8.3 and 8.2%) in F(1)- and F(8)-resynthesized allotetraploids relative to mid-parent values, respectively. This pattern of proteomic divergence was consistent with the previously reported gene expression data. In particular, many non-additively accumulated proteins (61-62%) in the F(1) and F(8) allotetraploids were also differentially expressed between the parents. The differentially accumulated proteins in functional categories of abiotic and biotic stresses were overrepresented between an A. thaliana autotetraploid and diploid and between two Arabidopsis species, but not significantly different between allotetraploids and their progenitors. Although the trend of changes is similar, the percentage of differentially accumulated proteins that matched previously reported differentially expressed genes was relatively low. Western blot analysis confirmed several selected proteins with isoforms the cumulative levels of which were differentially expressed. These data suggest high protein divergence between species and rapid changes in post-transcriptional regulation and translational modifications of proteins during polyploidization.

Comparative proteome analysis of metabolic changes by low phosphorus stress in two Brassica napus genotypes

In an attempt to determine the adaptation strategy to phosphorous (Pi) deficiency in oilseed rape, comparative proteome analyses were conducted to investigate the differences of metabolic changes in two oilseed rape genotypes with different tolerance to low phosphorus (LP). Generally in either roots or leaves, there existed few low phosphorus (LP)-induced proteins shared in the two lines. The LP-tolerant genotype 102 maintained higher Pi concentrations than LP-sensitive genotype 105 when growing hydroponically under the 5-μM phosphorus condition. In 102 we observed the downregulation of the proteins related to gene transcription, protein translation, carbon metabolism, and energy transfer in leaves and roots, and the downregulation of proteins related to leaf growth and root cellular organization. But the proteins related to the formation of lateral root were upregulated, such as the auxin-responsive family proteins in roots and the sucrose-phosphate synthase-like protein in roots and leaves. On the other hand, the LP-sensitive genotype 105 maintained the low level of Pi concentrations and suffered high oxidative pressure under the LP condition, and stress-shocking proteins were pronouncedly upregulated such as the proteins for signal transduction, gene transcription, secondary metabolism, universal stress family proteins, as well as the proteins involved in lipid oxygenation and the disease resistance in both leaves and roots. Although the leaf proteins for growth in 105 were downregulated, the protein expressions in roots related to glycolysis and tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle were enhanced to satisfy the requirement of organic acid secretion.

Combined proteomic and transcriptomic analysis identifies differentially expressed pathways associated to Pinus radiata needle maturation

Needle differentiation is a very complex process that leads to the formation of a mature photosynthetic organ from pluripotent needle primordia. The proteome and transcriptome of immature and fully developed needles of Pinus radiata D. Don were compared to described changes in mRNA and protein species that characterize the needle maturation developmental process. A total of 856 protein spots were analyzed, defining a total of 280 spots as differential between developmental stages, from which 127 were confidently identified. A suppressive subtractive library (2048 clones, 274 non redundant contigs) was built, and 176 genes showed to be differentially expressed. The Joint data analysis of proteomic and transcriptomic results provided a broad overview of differentially expressed pathways associated with needle maturation and stress-related pathways. Proteins and genes related to energy metabolism pathways, photosynthesis, and oxidative phosphorylation were overexpressed in mature needles. Amino acid metabolism, transcription, and translation pathways were overexpressed in immature needles. Interestingly, stress related proteins were characteristic of immature tissues, a fact that may be linked to defense mechanisms and the higher growth rate and morphogenetic competence exhibited by these needles. Thus, this work provides an overview of the molecular changes affecting proteomes and transcriptomes during P. radiata needle maturation, having an integrative vision of the functioning and physiology of this process.

Proteomic alterations of Brassica napus root in response to boron deficiency

Boron (B) deficiency is a worldwide problem, and Brassica napus is one of the most sensitive crops to B deficiency. To better understand the B starvation response of Brassica napus, we conducted a comparative proteomic analysis of seedling stage Brassica napus root between B-sufficient and B-limited conditions: 45 differentially expressed proteins were successfully identified by 2-DE coupled with MALDI-TOF/TOF-MS and LTQ-ESI-MS/MS analysis. Among these proteins, 10 were down-regulated and 35 were up-regulated under B-limited condition. Combining GO and KEGG analyses with data from previous reports, proteins were categorized into several functional groups, including antioxidant and detoxification, defense-related proteins, signaling and regulation, carbohydrate and energy metabolism, amino acid and fatty acid metabolism, protein translation and degradation, cell wall structure, and transporter. The genes of selected proteins were analyzed by quantitative RT-PCR. Our results provide novel information for better understanding the physiological and biochemical responses to B deficiency in plants.

Arabidopsis methyltransferase fingerprints by affinity-based protein profiling

Precise annotation of time and spatial distribution of enzymes involved in plant secondary metabolism by gel electrophoresis are usually difficult due to their low abundance. Therefore, effective methods to enrich these enzymes are required to correlate available transcript and metabolite data with the actual presence of active enzymes in wild-type and mutant plants or to monitor variations of these enzymes under various types of biotic and abiotic stress conditions. S-Adenosyl-L-methionine-dependent O-methyltransferases play important roles in the modification of natural products such as phenylpropanoids or alkaloids. In plants they occur as small superfamilies with defined roles for each of its members in different organs and tissues. We explored the use of S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine as a selectivity function in affinity-based protein profiling supported by capture compound mass spectrometry. Due to their high affinity to this ligand it was possible to identify developmental changes of flower-specific patterns of plant natural product O-methyltransferases and corroborate the absence of individual O-methyltransferases in the corresponding Arabidopsis knockout lines. Developmental changes in the OMT pattern were correlated with transcript data obtained by qPCR.