Comparative proteomics analysis of selenium responses in selenium-enriched rice grains

Area of Science:

• Plant Biology
• Proteomics
• Agricultural Science

Background:

• Selenium (Se) fortification via foliar application of selenite increases Se content and grain yield in rice.
• The precise regulatory mechanisms governing Se response in rice grains are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To elucidate the regulatory mechanisms of Se response in rice grains at the proteome level.
• To identify proteins and pathways affected by Se accumulation in rice grains.
• To provide insights for enhancing Se-enriched rice production.

Main Methods:

• Comparative proteomics using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE)-coupled MALDI-TOF/TOF MS.
• Quantitative proteomics employing 1-DE/LC-FTICR-MS with label-free quantification.
• Analysis of protein abundance changes between Se-treated and control rice grains.

Main Results:

• Identified 62 proteins with altered abundance using 2-DE and 250 proteins using 1-DE/LC-FTICR-MS.
• Proteins involved in metabolism, cell redox regulation, and seed nutritional storage were significantly affected by Se.
• Up-regulation of late embryogenesis abundant proteins and sucrose synthesis proteins suggests a role in earlier maturation and increased yield.
• First identification of six selenoproteins containing selenoamino acid modification in higher plants.

Conclusions:

• This proteomic study offers novel insights into Se response mechanisms in rice grains.
• Findings are crucial for understanding Se pathways in rice and optimizing Se-enriched rice cultivation.
• The identified selenoproteins represent a significant discovery in plant biology.