Rapid deposition of wheat cell wall structural proteins in response to Fusarium‐derived elicitors

Abstract

Two novel cell wall structural proteins of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L. em Thell.). undergo rapid deposition in the cell wall matrix in a H₂O₂‐dependent reaction after the elicitation of cultures with Fusarium graminearum (L.)‐derived elicitor. The amino acid compositions of these proteins were remarkably similar and indicated that they were highly acidic (pI 3.8). These proteins contained 13–17% each of Gly, Glx and Ser with lesser amounts (6–8%) of Ala, Asx and Thr, and it has been suggested that they are known as glycine‐ and serine‐rich proteins (GSRPs). SELDI‐MS ionization spectra demonstrated that these proteins have low molecular masses of 8590 and 4292 Da. These results are discussed in relation to the possible role of these novel proteins in rapid, cell wall defensive reactions to pathogenic attack.