Proteins differentially expressed from maize leaves in response to the infection by Curvularia lunata strain CX-3 were identified through a high-resolution two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) method. Two inbred lines, 78599-1 and E28, were used, respec-tively, as resistant and susceptible lines to CX-3 infection. Proteins were extracted from the fourth leaves of six- or seven-leaf stage plants sampled at 24, 36, 48, 60, and 72 h after inoculation with CX-3. Twenty-seven differentially expressed protein spots resolved on the 2-DE gels were identified by MALDI-TOF MS/MS. The results showed that these proteins are associated with photosynthesis, respiration, oxidative and drought stress tolerance as well as signal transduction in maize. Among stress-related proteins, the 22 kDa drought-induc-ible protein, putative glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and translation initiation factor (elF-5A) were up-regulated in the resistant inbred line and were implicated in host defense response to C. lunata infection. It suggests that drought-inducible and oxidation stress-related proteins might directly contribute to maize resistance to C. lunata.