Proteomic analysis of iron deficient cucumber roots

extrusion that increase the need for NAD(P)H and ATP respectively, substrates necessary to keep these activities functioning. Recharging of such substrates requires the acceleration of energetic metabolic pathways. Many processes are increased to efficiently sustain the response to iron depletion. In particular, the activity of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase is increased several fold. The rate of carbohydrate catabolism was also increased under these conditions and the activity of several glycolytic enzymes has been shown to be enhanced. Furthermore, other metabolic pathways and free cytosolic enzymatic activities are increased during Fe deficiency, such as some cytosolic NAD(P)+-dependent dehydrogenase belonging to oxidative pentose phosphate pathway. The proteomic pattern of soluble proteins from roots grown in the presence and in the absence of Fe has been investigated. After setting up a protein method suitable for removing interfering compounds, a 2-DE analysis was performed using a pH 4-7 linear gradient in the first dimension and 10% polyacrilamide homogeneous gels in the second dimension. Using the ImageMaster Platinum software a comparative analysis was then carried out. The LC-ESI-MS/MS approach has been used to analyse the differentially expressed proteins.