Proteomic analysis of silicon-mediated resistance to Magnaporthe oryzae in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Silicon can significantly enhance plant resistance against various pathogens. However, the mechanism of this resistance has not been fully revealed. In the present study, the role of Si in inducing resistance to Magnaporthe oryzae in rice (Oryza sativa L.) was elucidated by a proteomics approach. Results showed that Si supply significantly inhibited blast incidence. The contents of soluble and total protein in rice leaves were significantly increased. Through proteomic analysis by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) and liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), 61 protein spots were found significantly influenced by M. oryzae inoculation and/or Si application. Among these proteins, 43 were altered (30 increased and 13 decreased) when Si was added to M. oryzae-inoculated rice plants. These altered proteins were involved in the functional groups active in energy/metabolism, photosynthesis, redox homeostasis, protein synthesis, transcription and pathogen response. The present study provided novel insights into Si-mediated resistance of rice against M. oryzae at the proteome level.