Proteome pattern changes in the leaf of two tolerant and sensitive sugar beet (Beta Vulgaris Spp. Vulgaris) genotypes under water deficit stress

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Plant Breeding and Biotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tabriz,, Tabriz, Iran.

2 Department of Plant Breeding and Biotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tabriz , Tabriz,, Iran.

3 Professor, Dept. of Plant Breeding & Biotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran.

Abstract

Objective
Sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.), due to its capacity to accumulate sucrose in the storage root, represents one of the most important agronomic crops worldwide. Drought stress, as a major abiotic constraint, triggers a cascade of morphological, physiological, biochemical, and molecular alterations in plants, ultimately leading to a reduction in yield performance. The objective of the present study was to identify drought-responsive proteins associated with tolerance mechanisms using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) coupled with mass spectrometry (MS)-based proteomic analysis.
Materials and methods
In this study, the leaf proteome profiles of two contrasting sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) genotypes, drought-tolerant (8001-S1-10) and drought-sensitive (8001-S1-6), were investigated under water-deficit stress imposed by the Class A pan evaporation method. A comparative analysis between the drought-tolerant and drought-sensitive genotypes was performed under normal irrigation and water-deficit stress conditions. Total protein was extracted from leaf tissues, separated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE), and protein spots were quantitatively analyzed using PDQuest software to detect reproducible spots exhibiting significant differential expression under control and drought-stress conditions. Subsequently, mass spectrometry (MS)-based protein identification combined with bioinformatics tools was employed to characterize the drought-responsive proteins.
Results
A total of 85 reproducible protein spots were detected in the drought-tolerant genotype. Based on Student’s t-test, seven protein spots exhibited significant up-regulation, whereas two spots showed significant down-regulation under drought stress. In the drought-sensitive genotype, 57 reproducible protein spots were identified, among which four spots displayed statistically significant differential expression; all of them were significantly down-regulated under water-deficit conditions. The identified proteins were functionally categorized into five major groups: photosynthesis-related proteins, proteins involved in energy and primary metabolism, catabolic proteins, stress- and defense-related proteins, and ROS-detoxifying or scavenging proteins. Within the photosynthetic group, Rubisco activase and phosphoribulokinase were up-regulated, whereas 4-hydroxy-3-methylbut-2-en-1-yl diphosphate synthase and carbonic anhydrase were down-regulated in the tolerant genotype under drought stress. Oxygen-evolving enhancer protein 1 and oxygen-evolving enhancer protein 2 exhibited marked down-regulation in the sensitive genotype. Moreover, hexokinase and glutamine synthetase 2 were up-regulated in the tolerant genotype, whereas malate dehydrogenase and choline monooxygenase were significantly down-regulated in the sensitive genotype under drought conditions. Antioxidant and stress-related proteins such as catalase 2 and heat shock protein 70 were found to be up-regulated under drought stress, while monodehydroascorbate reductase 5 displayed increased abundance specifically in the tolerant genotype.
Conclusions
The results clearly demonstrate that drought tolerance in sugar beet isn't solely dependent on the upregulation of specific proteins, but rather hinges on the precise regulation of a network of biological pathways. This network facilitates survival and stable performance under adverse conditions by maintaining a balance between energy production and consumption, protecting against oxidative damage, and preserving photosynthetic efficiency. Consequently, identifying these proteins as biomarkers could serve as a powerful tool for screening drought-tolerant genotypes and as a target for genetic engineering and breeding programs aimed at developing drought-resistant sugar beet and other crops.

Keywords

References

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Agricultural Biotechnology Journal
Volume 18, Issue 1
January 2026
Pages 1-26

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