Unique High Molecular Weight Proteins expressed in Cytoplasmic Male Sterile Wheat (Triticum aestivum) as determined by Two‐Dimensional Electrophoresis (2DE)

When careful computer analysis of the patterns produced during 3 separate growth years by 2DE was performed the separation of expressed proteins at the young spike stage of growth of male sterile wheat plants indicated there were 18 proteins missing when compared to male fertile plants at the same growth stage. Surprisingly, there were found 12 high molecular weight (over 90 kDa) proteins present in the male sterile plant patterns that were not present in the male fertile plant patterns. Molecular weight and isoelectric points of the affected proteins will be presented. Leaf 2DE patterns at the corresponding developmental growth stages indicated there were no differences to be found. This suggested that the protein pattern differences seen are specifically expressed at the spike stage of growth. Searching of the literature suggests this is the first study of expressed proteins by 2DE of the rather common cytoplasmic male sterility phenomenon in nature. Because of this it is tentatively proposed that male cytoplasmic sterility in wheat at least may have a quite unique genetic program controlling expressed proteins in specific structures of wheat in at least part of its life cycle. Supported in part by institutional research grants from Harbin Normal University.