Proteome analysis of Fusarium infection in emmer grains (Triticum dicoccum)

The fungal infection of emmer grain (Triticum dicoccum) with Fusarium graminearum and Fusarium culmorum was investigated at the level of the proteome. High-resolution two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry were used to identify proteins that were differentially expressed in response to fungal infection of emmer. Moreover, the effects of natural field conditions at two locations on the carbon and nitrogen contents and the mycotoxin concentration of emmer grains were evaluated. Inoculation of emmer with a mixture of the two Fusarium species led to infection of the ears, with deoxynivalenol concentrations up to 10 mg kg(-1) in the grain. Carbon concentration and crude protein content were not significantly changed, but 10 distinct proteins changed in abundance. Stress-related proteins, such as a serine protease inhibitor, a thaumatin-like protein that reduced fungal growth and the starch hydrolysis beta-amylase increased upon infection, whereas the stress-related proteins peroxidase, peroxiredoxin, a starch-synthesis protein (a glycosyltransferase) and a fungal cell wall degrading protein (a chitinase) decreased. Furthermore, levels of three storage proteins in emmer grains were affected by Fusarium infection: alpha-gliadin decreased and two globulins increased upon infection.