USE OF 2-DIMENSIONAL PROTEIN-PATTERN ANALYSIS FOR THE CHARACTERIZATION OF ARABIDOPSIS-THALIANA MUTANTS

Total proteins extracted from wild-type plants of Arabidopsis thaliana Heyhn, an etiolated mutant, a de-etiolated mutant and a mutant affect ed in cotyledon morphology, were analyzed by two-dimensional gel elect rophoresis. Computer analysis of two-dimensional gels allowed the char acterization of the mutants by a set of proteins showing a differentia l expression when compared with the wild-type plant grown under the sa me conditions. The overlap between comparisons of the different mutant s with the wild-type allowed the identification of groups of polypepti des which, since their expression is altered in several mutants, might be involved in certain physiological functions. For example, this app roach showed a possible involvement of actin in the elongation process . The simultaneous analysis of the two-dimensional protein patterns of different mutants seems, therefore, to be a promising approach to cha racterize proteins involved in various physiological functions.