Two-dimensional electrophoresis based proteomic analysis of the pea (Pisum sativum) in response to Mycosphaerella pinodes.

Responses to Mycosphaerella pinodes in pea were studied by using a proteomics approach. Two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) was used in order to compare the leaf proteome of two pea cultivars displaying different phenotypes (susceptible and partial resistance to the fungus), as well as in response to the inoculation. Multivariate statistical analysis identified 84 differential protein spots under the experimental conditions (cultivars/treatments). All of these 84 protein spots were subjected to MALDI-TOF/TOF mass spectrometry to deduce their possible functions. A total of 31 proteins were identified using a combination of peptide mass fingerprinting (PMF) and MSMS fragmentation. Most of the identified proteins corresponded to enzymes belonging to photosynthesis, metabolism, transcription/translation and defense and stress categories. Results are discussed in terms of responses to pathogens.