## 2 Results
### Proteome Profiling of Macro-Mutant Lines
#### 2.2.2 Identification and Expression Patterns of Differentially Expressed Proteins of Mutant lines
The expression of this protein was down regulated in the HY3, MHY2, NY3, LY1, VLY2, and VLY3 mutants compared to the control plants. In all other mutants (HY1, MHY4, and LY3), the expression of this protein was equal to that of the control plant. Spot #4401 has been identified as malate dehydrogenase-1. The MW and pI of this spot were found to be 35,570 Da and 6.11, respectively. This protein was present in the cytoplasm and was involved in the carbohydrate metabolic process. The expression pattern of this protein was equal in the HY1, MHY4, and LY3 mutant plants compared to the control. There was also an up regulation of this protein in HY3, MHY2, NY3, LY1, VLY2, and VLY3 mutant lines compared to the control. Spot #4601 was identified as sucrose phosphate synthase 1. The MW and pI of this spot were found to be 119,743 Da and 6.0, respectively. It was located in the chloroplast membrane and was involved in sucrose biosynthesis by catalyzing the rate-limiting step. In comparison to the control, this protein was upregulated in mutants HY1, MHY4, and LY3 but was downregulated in LY1 and VLY3. The expression of this protein in HY3, MHY2, NY3, and VLY2 was equal to that of the control. Spot #6301 was identified as the 50 S ribosomal protein subunit L23. The MW and pI of this spot were found to be 10,046 Da and 10.2, respectively. It was located in the chloroplast and was involved in the translation process through binding to the 23S rRNA. The expression of this protein was upregulated in the mutants HY1, MHY4, LY3, and VLY2 compared to the control. In the mutants MHY2, LY1, and VLY3, there was a down-regulation of this protein compared to the control. There was no change in the expression pattern of this protein in mutants HY3 and NY3 over the control. Spot #-6801 was identified as an auxin-repressed 12.5 kDa protein. The MW and pI of this spot were found to be 12,408 Da and 9.1, respectively. This protein is involved in the auxin-activated signalling pathway. This protein was upregulated in HY1, MHY4, and LY3. Expression of this protein was equal to that of the control in the mutant lines HY3 and NY3. However, down regulation of this protein was found in the MHY2,LY1, VLY2, and VLY3 mutants of _Nigella sativa_. Spot #6901 has been identified as DNA-(apurinic or apyrimidinic site) lyase. The MW and pI of this spot were found to be 60,622 Da and 9.1, respectively. It is a chloroplastic protein that is involved in base-excision repair. Expression of this protein was equal to that of the control in the mutants, except for MHY2, LY1, and VLY3, where it was down regulated. Spot #7704 has been identified as 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate oxidase 2. The MW and pI of this spot were found to be 36,183 Da and 4.98, respectively. This protein is present in the cell wall, endoplasmic reticulum (ER), and cytosol, and involved in ethylene biosynthesis. This protein is upregulated in all the mutants except MHY2, LY1, and VLY3, where its expression is equal to that of the control. Spot #2908 has been identified as L-ascorbate peroxidase (APX1). The MW and pI of this spot were found to be 27,800 Da and 5.72, respectively. This protein is present in the cytoplasm and plays a role in the antioxidant defense system. Expression of this protein is upregulated in all the mutants over the control, except HY1, MHY4, and LY3, where its expression is equal to that of the control. Spot #3658 has been identified as manganese peroxide dismutase (MSD1). The MW and pI of this spot were found to be 25,443 Da and 8.47, respectively. This protein is present in the mitochondria and is involved in the defense response through the removal of superoxide anion radicals. The expression of this protein is similar to that of spot #2908. Spot #8054 is glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase A (GAPDH). The MW and pI of this spot were found to be 36,914 Da and 6.62, respectively. This protein is found in the cytoplasm.