Physiological and Proteomic Analyses Reveal the Adaptive Mechanisms of Maize Genotypes Under Potassium Deficiency
- 1College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China
- 2Maize Research Institute, Hulunbuir Academy of Agricultural and Animal Husbandry Sciences, Zhalantun 162650, China
Abstract
Potassium (K) deficiency severely constrains maize productivity, yet the molecular mechanisms underlying genotypic differences in K tolerance remain poorly understood. A comparative physiological and iTRAQ-based quantitative proteomic analysis was conducted on two maize inbred lines with contrasting K-deficiency tolerance (Ktm, tolerant; Ksm, sensitive) following 3 days of K starvation (0 mM K), using roots as the primary analytical target. Physiological assessments revealed that under K deficiency, Ktm exhibited higher root vitality (Ktm decreased by 16.65% vs. Ksm by 31.54%) and larger root volume but lower electrolyte leakage compared with Ksm. Proteomic profiling identified 93 and 126 differentially abundant proteins (DAPs) in Ktm and Ksm, respectively. Integrative analysis indicated that Ktm responsed to K deprivation though coordinated downregulation of glycolytic enzymes, differential ROS accumulation with enhanced catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POD) upregulation, and increased the abundances of cell wall-reinforcing proteins (dirigent proteins and cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase). In contrast, Ksm exhibited a less efficient stress response characterized by impaired ROS signaling, H2O2 accumulation, and compromised membrane permeability. These results suggested that under short-term K starvation, K tolerance in maize was associated more closely with the efficiency of metabolic reprogramming and ROS homeostasis than with differences in root K content. Our findings provide a mechanistic framework for understanding genotypic variation in K adaptation and identify candidate protein markers for breeding K-efficient maize varieties.
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BibTeX
@article{yang2026physiological,
title = {{Physiological and Proteomic Analyses Reveal the Adaptive Mechanisms of Maize Genotypes Under Potassium Deficiency}},
author = {Xudong Yang and Haoran Qin and Fei Zou and Hui Ma and Hui Li and Yanye Ruan and Shuisen Chen},
journal = {International Journal of Molecular Sciences},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.3390/ijms27188286},
url = {https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/27/18/8286},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Physiological and Proteomic Analyses Reveal the Adaptive Mechanisms of Maize Genotypes Under Potassium Deficiency
AU - Xudong Yang
AU - Haoran Qin
AU - Fei Zou
AU - Hui Ma
AU - Hui Li
AU - Yanye Ruan
AU - Shuisen Chen
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/17
JO - International Journal of Molecular Sciences
DO - 10.3390/ijms27188286
UR - https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/27/18/8286
AB - Potassium (K) deficiency severely constrains maize productivity, yet the molecular mechanisms underlying genotypic differences in K tolerance remain poorly understood. A comparative physiological and iTRAQ-based quantitative proteomic analysis was conducted on two maize inbred lines with contrasting K-deficiency tolerance (Ktm, tolerant; Ksm, sensitive) following 3 days of K starvation (0 mM K), using roots as the primary analytical target. Physiological assessments revealed that under K deficiency, Ktm exhibited higher root vitality (Ktm decreased by 16.65% vs. Ksm by 31.54%) and larger root volume but lower electrolyte leakage compared with Ksm. Proteomic profiling identified 93 and 126 differentially abundant proteins (DAPs) in Ktm and Ksm, respectively. Integrative analysis indicated that Ktm responsed to K deprivation though coordinated downregulation of glycolytic enzymes, differential ROS accumulation with enhanced catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POD) upregulation, and increased the abundances of cell wall-reinforcing proteins (dirigent proteins and cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase). In contrast, Ksm exhibited a less efficient stress response characterized by impaired ROS signaling, H2O2 accumulation, and compromised membrane permeability. These results suggested that under short-term K starvation, K tolerance in maize was associated more closely with the efficiency of metabolic reprogramming and ROS homeostasis than with differences in root K content. Our findings provide a mechanistic framework for understanding genotypic variation in K adaptation and identify candidate protein markers for breeding K-efficient maize varieties.
SN - 1422-0067
ER -