Comparative Proteomics Combined with Morphophysiological Analysis Revealed Chilling Response Patterns in Two Contrasting Maize Genotypes

Maize yield is significantly influenced by low temperature, particularly chilling stress at the maize seedling stage. Various physiological approaches have been established to resist chilling stress; however, the detailed proteins change patterns underlying the maize chilling stress response at the seedling stage remain unknown, preventing the development of breeding-based methods to resist chilling stress in maize. Thus, we performed comprehensive physiological, comparative proteomics and specific phytohormone abscisic acid (ABA) assay on different maize inbred lines (tolerant-line KR701 and sensitive-line hei8834) at different seedling stages (the first leaf stage and third leaf stage) under chilling stress. The results revealed several signalling proteins and pathways in response to chilling stress at the maize seedling stage. Meanwhile, we found ABA pathway was important for chilling resistance of tolerant-line KR701 at the first leaf stage. Related chilling-responsive proteins were further catalogued and analysed, providing a resource for further investigation and maize breeding.

Automated summary

The yield of maize is significantly affected by low temperature, especially chilling stress during the seedling stage. This study investigated the protein changes underlying the chilling stress response in maize seedlings using physiological, proteomics, and hormone assays. The results identified signaling proteins and pathways involved in chilling stress, with the ABA pathway playing a key role in the chilling resistance of the tolerant maize line KR701. The catalogued chilling-responsive proteins provide a valuable resource for further research and maize breeding.