title: Proteomics analysis of compatibility and incompatibility in grafted cucumber seedlings.
abstract: Graft compatibility between rootstock and scion is the most important factor influencing the survival of grafted plants. In this study, we used two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization tandem time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF/TOF MS) to investigate differences in leaf proteomes of graft-compatible and graft-incompatible cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.)/pumpkin (Cucurbita L.) combinations. Cucumber seedlings were used as the scions and two pumpkin cultivars with strongly contrasting grafting compatibilities were used as the rootstocks. Non-grafted and self-grafted cucumber seedlings served as control groups. An average of approximately 500 detectable spots were observed on each 2-DE gel. A total of 50 proteins were differentially expressed in response to self-grafting, compatible-rootstock grafting, and incompatible-rootstock grafting and were all successfully identified by MALDI-TOF/TOF MS. The regulation of Calvin cycle, photosynthetic apparatus, glycolytic pathway, energy metabolism, protein biosynthesis and degradation, and reactive oxygen metabolism will probably contribute to intensify the biomass and photosynthetic capacity in graft-compatible combinations. The improved physiological and growth characteristics of compatible-rootstock grafting plants are the result of the higher expressions of proteins involved in photosynthesis, carbohydrate and energy metabolism, and protein metabolism. At the same time, the compatible-rootstock grafting regulation of stress defense, amino acid metabolism, and other metabolic functions also plays important roles in improvement of plant growth.
authors.affiliation: College of Horticulture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Southern Vegetables Genetic Improvement, Ministry of Agriculture, Nanjing, 210095, PR China.
authors.forename: Qing
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.affiliation: College of Horticulture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Southern Vegetables Genetic Improvement, Ministry of Agriculture, Nanjing, 210095, PR China.
authors.forename: Shi-Rong
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.affiliation: College of Horticulture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Southern Vegetables Genetic Improvement, Ministry of Agriculture, Nanjing, 210095, PR China.
authors.forename: Lin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: College of Horticulture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Southern Vegetables Genetic Improvement, Ministry of Agriculture, Nanjing, 210095, PR China.
authors.forename: Ya-Hong
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: An
authors.affiliation: College of Horticulture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Southern Vegetables Genetic Improvement, Ministry of Agriculture, Nanjing, 210095, PR China.
authors.forename: Sheng
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shu
authors.affiliation: College of Horticulture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Southern Vegetables Genetic Improvement, Ministry of Agriculture, Nanjing, 210095, PR China; Institute of Facility Horticulture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Suqian, 223800, Jiangsu Province, PR China. Electronic address: jinsun@njau.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Jin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sun
mesh_terms: D016000:Cluster Analysis; D018553:Cucumis sativus / Q000378:metabolism*; D015180:Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional; D053858:Metabolic Networks and Pathways; D010788:Photosynthesis; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000378:metabolism; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D040901:Proteomics / Q000379:methods*; D036226:Seedlings / Q000378:metabolism*; D060436:Self-Incompatibility in Flowering Plants / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D010940:Plant Proteins
keywords: Cucumber; Graft compatibility; Proteomics; Pumpkin rootstock