Proteomics analyses associated with resistant and susceptible tomato genotypes to late blight

Late blight (Phytophthora infestans) is one of the main diseases of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.). Although there are several resistant cultivars, fungicides remain the most important control for the disease. As a tool to assist in the development of resistant tomato cultivars, proteomics provides information about the metabolic pathways involved in plant-pathogen interactions. The aim of this study was to evaluate differences in protein profiles between tomato genotypes contrasting in resistance to late blight. We evaluated BGH-2127 in comparison with 'Santa Clara', respectively susceptible and resistant to late blight. Samples of plant leaves inoculated and uninoculated were collected 0, 2 and 48 h after inoculation and analyzed by two-dimensional electrophoresis. Images of the gels were analyzed with ImageMaster 2D Platinum 7.5 software. Protein spots with treatment variation exceeding 1.5-fold and ANOVA P<0.05 were considered differentially abundant. At time 0, immediately after inoculation, 'Santa Clara' and BGH-2127 showed 8 and 23 differentially abundant spots, respectively, compared with non-inoculated controls. Two hours after inoculation, 'Santa Clara' had 16 differentially abundant spots, while BGH-2127 had 22 differentially abundant spots. At 48 h after inoculation, 12 and 13 protein spots exhibited differential abundance in 'Santa Clara' and BGH-2127, respectively.