Distribution of antifungal proteins in maize kernel tissues using immunochemistry

This study examined the distribution of two antifungal proteins, ribosome-inactivating protein (RIP) and zeamatin, in maize kernel tissues. Proteins were extracted from endosperm (including aleurone layer) and embryo tissues of imbibed maize kernels. Western blot analyses revealed that RIP-like prot...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of food protection 1999-03, Vol.62 (3), p.295-299
Main Authors: Guo, B.Z, Cleveland, T.E, Brown, R.L, Widstrom, N.W, Lynch, R.E, Russin, J.S
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aflatoxins - analysis
aleurone layer
antifungal agents
Antifungal Agents - metabolism
Aspergillus flavus
Biological and medical sciences
chemical constituents of plants
defense mechanisms
embryo (plant)
endosperm
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Fungal plant pathogens
Immunity, Innate
Immunochemistry
immunohistochemistry
Pathology, epidemiology, host-fungus relationships. Damages, economic importance
Phytopathology. Animal pests. Plant and forest protection
Plant Diseases - microbiology
plant diseases and disorders
plant proteins
Plant Proteins - metabolism
ribosome-inactivating proteins
scutellum
Zea mays
Zea mays - metabolism
zeamatin
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Summary:This study examined the distribution of two antifungal proteins, ribosome-inactivating protein (RIP) and zeamatin, in maize kernel tissues. Proteins were extracted from endosperm (including aleurone layer) and embryo tissues of imbibed maize kernels. Western blot analyses revealed that RIP-like protein was present at higher levels in endosperm than in embryo tissues, whereas zeamatin-like protein was more concentrated in embryo tissues than in endosperm tissues. However, there were three protein bands in the endosperm and two bands in the embryo that reacted to anti-RIP antibody in Western blot analyses. Tissue prints were conducted to localized the antifungal proteins. Imbibed kernels were cut longitudinally and transversely and blotted onto nitrocellulose membranes. Using antibodies against maize RIP and zeamatin, RIP was found primarily in the aleurone layer of the endosperm and glandular layer of scutellum, whereas zeamatin was located mainly in the kernel embryo. These results provide insight into the potential functions of these antifungal proteins, especially since the presence of RIP and zeamatin within maize kernels uniquely protects kernels from pathogens.
ISSN:0362-028X
1944-9097
DOI:10.4315/0362-028X-62.3.295