Changes in protein expression profiles between a low phytic acid rice ( Oryza sativa L. Ssp. japonica) line and its parental line: a proteomic and bioinformatic approach

Expression regulation of myo-inositol 3-phosphate synthase 1 (INO1) in determination of phytic acid accumulation in rice grain

Phytic acid (PA) is the primary phosphorus (P) storage compound in the seeds of cereals and legumes. Low PA crops, which are considered an effective way to improve grain nutrient availability and combat environmental issues relating to seed P have been developed using mutational and reverse genetics approaches. Here, we identify molecular mechanism regulating PA content among natural rice variants. First, we performed genome-wide association (GWA) mapping of world rice core collection (WRC) accessions to understand the genetic determinants underlying PA trait in rice. Further, a comparative study was undertaken to identify the differences in PA accumulation, protein profiles, and gene expression in low (WRC 5) and high PA (WRC 6) accessions. GWA results identified myo-inositol 3-phosphate synthase 1 (INO1) as being closely localized to a significant single nucleotide polymorphism. We found high rates of PA accumulation 10 days after flowering, and our results indicate that INO1 expression was significantly higher in WRC 6 than in WRC 5. Seed proteome assays found that the expression of INO1 was significantly higher in WRC 6. These results suggest that not only the gene itself but regulation of INO1 gene expression at early developmental stages is important in determining PA content in rice.

Differential analysis of protein expression in RNA-binding-protein transgenic and parental rice seeds cultivated under salt stress

Transgenic plants tolerant to various environmental stresses are being developed to ensure a consistent food supply. We used a transgenic rice cultivar with high saline tolerance by introducing an RNA-binding protein (RBP) from the ice plant (Mesembryanthemum crystallinum); differences in salt-soluble protein expression between nontransgenic (NT) and RBP rice seeds were analyzed by 2D difference gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGE), a gel-based proteomic method. To identify RBP-related changes in protein expression under salt stress, NT and RBP rice were cultured with or without 200 mM sodium chloride. Only two protein spots differed between NT and RBP rice seeds cultured under normal conditions, one of which was identified as a putative abscisic acid-induced protein. In NT rice seeds, 91 spots significantly differed between normal and salt-stress conditions. Two allergenic proteins of NT rice seeds, RAG1 and RAG2, were induced by high salt. In contrast, RBP rice seeds yielded seven spots and no allergen spots with significant differences in protein expression between normal and salt-stress conditions. Therefore, expression of fewer proteins was altered in RBP rice seeds by high salt than those in NT rice seeds.

Proteomics-based allergen analysis in plants

Plants may trigger hypersensitivity reactions when individuals with allergies consume foods derived from plant materials or inhale plant pollen. As each plant food or pollen contains multiple allergens, proteomics is a powerful tool to detect the allergens present. Allergen-targeted proteomics, termed allergenomics, has been used for comprehensive identification and/or quantification of plant allergens, because it is a simple and inexpensive tool for rapid detection of proteins that bind to IgE. There are increasing numbers of reports on the applications of allergenomics. In this review, we outline some of the applications of proteomics, including: (i) identification of novel allergens, (ii) allergic diagnoses, (iii) quantification of allergens, and (iv) natural diversity of allergens, and finally discuss (v) the use of allergenomics for safety assessment of genetically modified (GM) plants.

BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Recently, the number of allergic patients is increasing. Therefore, a comprehensive analysis of allergens (allergenomics) in plants is highly important for not only risk assessment of food plants but also diagnosis of allergic symptoms. In this manuscript, we reviewed the recent progress of allergenomics for identification, quantification and profiling of allergens. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Translational Plant Proteomics.

Proteomics of rice seed germination

Seed is a condensed form of plant. Under suitable environmental conditions, it can resume the metabolic activity from physiological quiescent status, and mobilize the reserves, biosynthesize new proteins, regenerate organelles, and cell membrane, eventually protrude the radicle and enter into seedling establishment. So far, how these activities are regulated in a coordinated and sequential manner is largely unknown. With the availability of more and more genome sequence information and the development of mass spectrometry (MS) technology, proteomics has been widely applied in analyzing the mechanisms of different biological processes, and proved to be very powerful. Regulation of rice seed germination is critical for rice cultivation. In recent years, a lot of proteomic studies have been conducted in exploring the gene expression regulation, reserves mobilization and metabolisms reactivation, which brings us new insights on the mechanisms of metabolism regulation during this process. Nevertheless, it also invokes a lot of questions. In this mini-review, we summarized the progress in the proteomic studies of rice seed germination. The current challenges and future perspectives were also discussed, which might be helpful for the following studies.

Phytic acid as a potential treatment for alzheimer's pathology: evidence from animal and in vitro models

Alzheimer's disease (AD) causes progressive, age-dependent cortical and hippocampal dysfunction leading to abnormal intellectual capacity and memory. We propose a novel protective treatment for AD pathology with phytic acid (inositol hexakisphosphate), a phytochemical found in food grains and a key signaling molecule in mammalian cells. We evaluated the protective and beneficial effects of phytic acid against amyloid-β (Aβ) pathology in MC65 cells and the Tg2576 mouse model. In MC65 cells, 48-72-hour treatment with phytic acid provided complete protection against amyloid precursor protein-C-terminal fragment-induced cytotoxicity by attenuating levels of increased intracellular calcium, hydrogen peroxide, superoxide, Aβ oligomers, and moderately upregulated the expression of autophagy (beclin-1) protein. In a tolerance paradigm, wild type mice were treated with 2% phytic acid in drinking water for 70 days. Phytic acid was well tolerated. Ceruloplasmin activity, brain copper and iron levels, and brain superoxide dismutase and ATP levels were unaffected by the treatment. There was a significant increase in brain levels of cytochrome oxidase and a decrease in lipid peroxidation with phytic acid administration. In a treatment paradigm, 12-month old Tg2576 and wild type mice were treated with 2% phytic acid or vehicle for 6 months. Brain levels of copper, iron, and zinc were unaffected. The effects of phytic acid were modest on the expression of AβPP trafficking-associated protein AP180, autophagy-associated proteins (beclin-1, LC3B), sirtuin 1, the ratio of phosphorylated AMP-activated protein kinase (PAMPK) to AMPK, soluble Aβ1-40, and insoluble Aβ1-42. These results suggest that phytic acid may provide a viable treatment option for AD.