Comparative analysis of proteome changes induced by Botrytis fabae in faba bean (Vicia faba)

Chocolate spot, caused by the necrotrophic fungus Botrytis fabae is an important disease affecting faba bean in many regions of the world where it is cultivated. Although chemical control is an option, it presents serious drawbacks in terms of economic and environmental costs, being the use of resistant varieties a better and more efficient alternative. Varying levels of resistance have been previously identified. In this study we used a proteomic approach (2-DE coupled to MALDI-TOF/TOF analysis) to compare the leaf proteome of three faba bean genotypes showing different resistance response to B. fabae. Multivariate statistical analysis identified 270 differential protein spots when genotypes and treatments (non-inoculated and inoculated) were compared, with a total of 89 proteins identified using a combination of peptide mass fingerprinting (PMF) and MSMS fragmentation. Interestingly a high proportion of identified proteins (13%) were proteases, suggesting that protein degradation might play an important role during pathogen infection. Results will be presented and critically discussed in terms of differences between genotypes in response to B. fabae.