The PRms
protein is a pathogenesis-related (PR)-like
protein whose
mRNA accumulates during germination of maize seeds. Expression of the PRms gene is induced after
infection of maize seeds with the fungus Fusarium moniliforme. To further our investigations on the expression of the PRms gene we examined the accumulation of PRms
mRNA in different tissues of maize seedlings infected with F. moniliforme and studied the effect of fungal elicitors, the
mycotoxin moniliformin, the
hormone gibberellic acid, and specific chemical agents. Our results indicate that
fungal infection, and treatment either with fungal elicitors or with
moniliformin, a
mycotoxin produced by F. moniliforme, increase the steady-state level of PRms
mRNA. PRms
mRNA accumulation is also stimulated by the application of the
hormone gibberellic acid or by treatment with
silver nitrate, whereas
acetylsalicylic acid has no effect. In situ
RNA hybridization in isolated germinating embryo sections demonstrates that the PRms gene is expressed in the scutellum, particularly in a group of inner cells, and in the epithelium lying at the interface of the scutellum and the endosperm. The pattern of expression of the PRms gene closely resembles that found for hydrolytic
enzymes, being confined to the scutellum and the
aleurone layer of the germinating maize seed. Our results suggest that the PRms
protein has a function during the normal process of seed germination that has become adapted to serve among the defence mechanisms induced in response to pathogens during maize seed germination.