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Temporal and spatial regulation of pectic (1→4)‐β‐D‐galactan in cell walls of developing pea cotyledons: implications for mechanical properties
Author(s) -
McCartney Lesley,
Ormerod Andrew P.,
Gidley Michael J.,
Knox J. Paul
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
the plant journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.058
H-Index - 269
eISSN - 1365-313X
pISSN - 0960-7412
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-313x.2000.00719.x
Subject(s) - galactan , cotyledon , cell wall , polysaccharide , biochemistry , xyloglucan , biology , chemistry , microbiology and biotechnology , botany
Summary Modifications in cell wall pectic polysaccharides are thought to influence cell–cell adhesion and the mechanical properties of plant tissues. Monoclonal antibodies to epitopes occurring in homo‐ galacturonan and side chains of rhamnogalacturonan I have been used in an immunolocalization study of cell wall architecture of developing pea cotyledons. Pectic (1→4)‐β‐ d ‐galactan appears in cotyledon cell walls at a defined stage late in development (approximately 26–30 days after anthesis), whereas homogalacturonan and pectic (1→5)‐α‐ l ‐arabinan are present in cotyledon cell walls throughout development. (1→4)‐β‐galactan was restricted to a distinct thin layer at the plasma membrane face of the cell wall. Anion exchange and immunoaffinity chromatography indicated that the (1→4)‐β‐galactan was associated with acidic pectic components. Mechanical compressive testing of pea cotyledons, before and after (1→4)‐β‐galactan appearance, indicated that the cotyledons with the galactan‐rich cell wall layer were twice as firm as those with no detectable (1→4)‐β‐galactan.