Abstract
Carrying out proteomic analyses in plant tissues involves dealing with a number of specialized challenges that can make protein extraction and quantification significantly more difficult than in other organisms. In addition to having relatively low protein concentrations, plant tissues are often rich in proteases, protease inhibitors and other materials that impede protein analysis. These compounds include lipids, tannins, polysaccharides, and a large variety of secondary metabolites. The extent of the problems encountered is dependent on tissue type studied. Two major research thrusts in our lab involve detailed developmental and time-course studies on staple crops and fruits. An understanding of the proteins involved in the development of fruits, seeds, tubers and other plant organs will enhance our ability to control the agronomically-important traits of these crops including stability in storage, disease resistance, and vitamin and mineral content. Two recent studies that have posed unique challenges for proteome analysis include 1) comparing protein expression in red ripe tomato fruit to that in mature green tomato fruit and 2) studying the effects of storage on potato tubers. This talk will focus on the problems encountered in these recalcitrant tissue types and our efforts to provide plant scientists with a broader array of extraction and chemical modification protocols than is represented by those that constitute the existing paradigm. Efforts to move away from narrowly defined prescriptive methods and move towards results-based methods will also be discussed.
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