Proteomic analysis of cold acclimation in winter wheat under field conditions

A proteomics analysis was used to investigate how a winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv Pishgam) adapted to LT during the autumn season and then initiated reproductive growth under field conditions. Cross-comparisons of leaf proteome were performed for consecutive stages including T 1 (before the beginning of cold acclimation; zero-tolerance), T 2 (initiation of the cold acclimation; LT tolerance=~-6 °C), T 3 (vernalization fulfillment stage; LT tolerance=~-15 °C) and T 4 (first weeks of reproductive stage; LT tolerance=~-10 °C). Approximately 400 protein spots were reproducibly detected on each gel. However, only 56 differentially abundant protein spots showed any considerable change (p 0.05) between experimental stages. Proteomic analysis indicated a substantial decrease in the abundance of several proteins such as oxygen-evolving enhancer protein, NADH dehydrogenase and dehydroascorbate reductase during the initiation of cold acclimation. However, the abundance of some metabolic regulator, ion transporter, redox and photosynthetic proteins increased by achieving maximum LT tolerance (T 3 ). By initiation of the reproductive phase (T 4 ) the abundance of some proteins that mainly participate in photosynthesis and carbon metabolism significantly increased.