Genotype-specific heat shock proteins in two maize inbreds

Area of Science:

• Plant molecular biology
• Genetics
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Maize (Zea mays) inbred lines exhibit varying responses to environmental stresses.
• Heat shock proteins (HSPs) play a crucial role in acquired thermal tolerance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate intraspecific genetic variability in heat shock response between maize inbred lines B73 and Mo17.
• To compare acquired thermal tolerance and heat shock protein synthesis patterns.

Main Methods:

• Leakage conductivity assay for membrane stability during thermal stress.
• In vitro translation of poly(A)(+) RNA followed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis.
• DNA polymorphism analysis using heat shock protein gene probes.

Main Results:

• Maize inbred Mo17 demonstrated a greater capacity for acquired thermal tolerance compared to B73.
• Significant genotypic differences in heat shock protein synthesis were observed.
• Mo17 synthesized twelve unique heat shock proteins (15-18 kD), while B73 synthesized only three.
• DNA polymorphisms were detected between B73 and Mo17 using HSP gene probes.

Conclusions:

• Intraspecific genetic variability exists in the heat shock response of maize.
• Differences in heat shock protein synthesis contribute to varying thermal tolerance between maize inbreds.
• Genetic variations in heat shock protein genes are present between B73 and Mo17.