Proteome analysis of Fusarium head blight in grains of naked barley (Hordeum vulgare subsp. nudum)

The effect of artificial Fusarium graminearum and F. culmorum infection at the level of the proteome on grains of naked barley ( Hordeum vulgare subsp. nudum) was investigated in comparison to naturally infected samples. Fusarium infection in barley led to numerous host-specific biochemical responses. NEPHGE 2-D PAGE and MS were used to identify proteins that were differentially expressed in response to fungal infection and growing location of the plants. Moreover, the mycotoxin concentration of the grains was evaluated to characterize the infection degree. Inoculation of naked barley with Fusarium led to grain deoxynivalenol concentrations of up to 1.2 mg/kg. The carbon and nitrogen grain concentrations were not significantly changed after fungal infection, but differed between growing locations. Eleven proteins related to fungal infection were detected as were three proteins with effects based on growing location. These proteins belong to different protein groups involved in various cell functions: transcription regulation, defence response, nutrient reservoirs and starch biosynthesis. The results gave indications on plant defence strategies and changes as response to Fusarium infection in mature grains after a long infection period as well as being influenced by the growing location.