Affinity chromatography revealed insights into unique functionality of two 14-3-3 protein species in developing maize kernels.

Abstract

Maize kernel development is a complicated physiological process for its importance in both genetics and cereal breeding. 14-3-3 proteins form a multi-gene family participating in regulations of developmental processes in plants. However, the correlation between this protein family and maize kernel development has hardly been studied. We have for the first time found 12 14-3-3 protein genes from maize genome and studied in silico the gene transcription profiling of these genes. Comparative studies revealed that maize kernel development aroused a great number of gene expression, among which 14-3-3 protein genes took a significant proportion. We applied affinity chromatographic approach, in combination with 2-DE and LC-MS/MS, to explore the specific client proteins of two crucial 14-3-3 protein species that exhibit prominent gene expression over other members in the family during the kernel development. Assessments of the identified client proteins resulted in important information toward understanding the functional mechanism of 14-3-3 protein family in maize kernel development.