Proteome-level differences between auxinic-herbicide-susceptible and -resistant wild mustard (Sinapis arvensis L.)

To identify proteins that may be involved in mediating auxinic herbicide resistance (i.e., resistance to dicamba, picloram, 2,4-D), we compared the proteomes of an auxinic-herbicide-susceptible (S) and -resistant (R) wild mustard (Sinapis arvensis L.) biotype at different developmental stages. Using two-dimensional electrophoresis and mass spectrometry, we identified 11 seedling and leaf proteins that showed reproducible differences in expression between the S and the R wild mustard biotype following application of dicamba. Our proteome-level studies revealed the increased expression of the enzyme peptidylprolyl cis-trans isomerase (PPlase), which has recently been implicated in auxin signal transduction. Juglone, an inhibitor of PPlase, interfered with the normal ability of R seeds to germinate in the presence of dicamba, whereas S seeds did not germinate in the presence of dicamba or dicamba plus juglone. When R and S plants (3-4 leaf stage) were treated with dicamba, S showed typical auxinic herbicide effects (e.g., epinasty) whereas R did not. However, the concomitant application of dicamba and juglone to greenhouse-grown R plants produced morphological changes that were consistent with known auxinic-herbicide-induced symptoms. This is the first report suggesting the potential involvement of differential expression of PPlase in mediating auxinic herbicide resistance.