Microscopic studies on mature flax fibers embedded in LR white: immunogold localization of cell wall matrix polysaccharides

Mapping Pectic-Polysaccharide Epitopes in Cell Walls of Forage Chicory (Cichorium intybus) Leaves

The cell walls of forage chicory (Cichorium intybus) leaves are known to contain high proportions of pectic polysaccharides. However, little is known about the distribution of pectic polysaacharides among walls of different cell types/tissues and within walls. In this study, immunolabelling with four monoclonal antibodies was used to map the distribution of pectic polysaccharides in the cell walls of the laminae and midribs of these leaves. The antibodies JIM5 and JIM7 are specific for partially methyl-esterified homogalacturonans; LM5 and LM6 are specific for (1→4)-β-galactan and (1→5)-α-arabinan side chains, respectively, of rhamnogalacturonan I. All four antibodies labelled the walls of the epidermal cells with different intensities. JIM5 and JIM7, but not LM5 or LM6, labelled the middle lamella, tricellular junctions, and the corners of intercellular spaces of ground, xylem and phloem parenchyma. LM5, but not LM6, strongly labelled the walls of the few sclerenchyma fibres in the phloem of the midrib and lamina vascular bundles. The LM5 epitope was absent from some phloem parenchyma cells. LM6, but not LM5, strongly labelled the walls of the stomatal guard cells. The differential distribution of pectic epitopes among walls of different cell types and within walls may reflect the deposition and modification of these polysaccharides which are involved in cell wall properties and cell development.

A Review on Pharmacological and Clinical Aspects of Linum usitatissimum L

INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND

Linum usitatissimum L., known as common Flax or linseed, from the family Linnaceae, has long been cultivated in different nations due to its applications in medicine and industry. The present study aims to collect nearly all available information about chemical constituents of Flax, as well as pharmacological properties and confirmed clinical usages of it.

METHODS

We searched through databases such as Scopus and PubMed for relevant literature using the keywords: Linum usitatissimum, pharmacology and phytochemical from the beginning to 13 Aug 2017. Nearly 60 relevant papers, relating to a pharmacological and phytochemical constituent of L. usitatissimum were selected.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

According to our researches, various properties were attributed to L. usitatisimum including antioxidant, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiprotozoal, insecticidal, analgesic, anti-hyperlipidemia, anti-hyperglycemic, anti-tumor, wound healing and Feticidal activities. There were also many reports on disease prevention and healing properties of the flax. Diseases like: GI disorders, cardiovascular, urogenital, respiratory diseases and some neurological syndromes were mentioned to be treated by Flax. The application of Flax in drug formulations was also investigated.

CONCLUSION

Despite so much animal studies that have been accomplished, there have not been enough clinical trials done on pharmacological properties of L. usitatissimum. Therefore, this study could be considered as a concise and up to date overview for further facile studies and clinical trials over the valuable plant, L. usitatissimum.

Structural features in tension wood and distribution of wall polymers in the G-layer of in vitro grown poplars

Under the effect of disturbances, like unbalanced stem, but also during normal development, poplar trees can develop a specific secondary xylem, called "tension wood" (TW), which is easily identifiable by the presence of a gelatinous layer in the secondary cell walls (SCW) of the xylem fibers. Since TW formation was mainly performed on 2-year-old poplar models, an in vitro poplar that produces gelatinous fibers (G-fibers) while offering the same experimental advantages as herbaceous plants has been developed. Using specific cell wall staining techniques, wood structural features and lignin/cellulose distribution were both detailed in cross-sections obtained from the curved stem part of in vitro poplars. A supposed delay in the SCW lignification process in the G-fibers, along with the presence of a G-layer, could be observed in the juvenile plants. Moreover, in this G-layer, the immunolabeling of various polymers carried out in the SCW of TW has allowed detecting crystalline cellulose, arabinogalactans proteins, and rhamnogalacturonans I; however, homogalacturonans, xylans, and xyloglucans could not be found. Interestingly, extensins were detected in this typical adaptative or stress-induced structure. These observations were corroborated by a quantitation of the immunorecognized polymer distribution using gold particle labeling. In conclusion, the in vitro poplar model seems highly convenient for TW studies focusing on the implementation of wall polymers that provide the cell wall with greater plasticity in adapting to the environment.

Distribution of cell-wall polysaccharides and proteins during growth of the hemp hypocotyl

The immuno-ultrastructural investigation localized cell-wall polysaccharides of bast fibers during hemp hypocotyl growth. Moreover, for the first time, the localization of a peroxidase and laccase is provided in textile hemp. In the hypocotyl of textile hemp, elongation and girth increase are separated in time. This organ is therefore ideal for time-course analyses. Here, we follow the ultrastructural rearrangement of cell-wall components during the development of the hemp hypocotyl. An expression analysis of genes involved in the biosynthesis of cellulose, the chief polysaccharide of bast fiber cell walls and xylan, the main hemicellulose of secondary cell walls, is also provided. The analysis shows a higher expression of cellulose and xylan-related genes at 15 and 20 days after sowing, as compared to 9 days. In the young hypocotyl, the cell walls of bast fibers show cellulose microfibrils that are not yet compacted to form a mature G-layer. Crystalline cellulose is detected abundantly in the S1-layer, together with unsubstituted/low-substituted xylan and, to a lesser extent, in the G-layer. The LM5 galactan epitope is confined to the walls of parenchymatic cells. LM6-specific arabinans are detected at the interface between the cytoplasm and the gelatinous cell wall of bast fibers. The class III peroxidase antibody shows localization in the G-layer only at older developmental stages. The laccase antibody shows a distinctive labelling of the G-layer region closest to the S1-layer; the signal becomes more homogeneous as the hypocotyl matures. The data provide important insights on the cell wall distribution of polysaccharide and protein components in bast fibers during the hypocotyl growth of textile hemp.

Flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) Fibers for Composite Reinforcement: Exploring the Link Between Plant Growth, Cell Walls Development, and Fiber Properties

Due to the combination of high mechanical performances and plant-based origin, flax fibers are interesting reinforcement for environmentally friendly composite materials. An increasing amount of research articles and reviews focuses on the processing and properties of flax-based products, without taking into account the original key role of flax fibers, namely, reinforcement elements of the flax stem (Linum usitatissimum L.). The ontogeny of the plant, scattering of fiber properties along the plant, or the plant growth conditions are rarely considered. Conversely, exploring the development of flax fibers and parameters influencing the plant mechanical properties (at the whole plant or fiber scale) could be an interesting way to control and/or optimize fiber performances, and to a greater extent, flax fiber-based products. The first part of the present review synthesized the general knowledge about the growth stages of flax plants and the internal organization of the stem biological tissues. Additionally, key findings regarding the development of its fibers, from elongation to thickening, are reviewed to offer a piece of explanation of the uncommon morphological properties of flax fibers. Then, the slenderness of flax is illustrated by comparison of data given in scientific research on herbaceous plants and woody ones. In the second section, a state of the art of the varietal selection of several main industrial crops is given. This section includes the different selection criteria as well as an overview of their impact on plant characteristics. A particular interest is given to the lodging resistance and the understanding of this undesired phenomenon. The third section reviews the influence of the cultural conditions, including seedling rate and its relation with the wind in a plant canopy, as well as the impact of main tropisms (namely, thigmotropism, seismotropism, and gravitropism) on the stem and fiber characteristics. This section illustrates the mechanisms of plant adaptation, and how the environment can modify the plant biomechanical properties. Finally, this review asks botanists, breeders, and farmers' knowledge toward the selection of potential flax varieties dedicated to composite applications, through optimized fiber performances. All along the paper, both fibers morphology and mechanical properties are discussed, in constant link with their use for composite materials reinforcement.

Depletion of Arabidopsis ACYL-COA-BINDING PROTEIN3 Affects Fatty Acid Composition in the Phloem

Oxylipins are crucial components in plant wound responses that are mobilised via the plant vasculature. Previous studies have shown that the overexpression of an Arabidopsis acyl-CoA-binding protein, AtACBP3, led to an accumulation of oxylipin-containing galactolipids, and AtACBP3pro::BETA-GLUCURONIDASE (GUS) was expressed in the phloem of transgenic Arabidopsis. To investigate the role of AtACBP3 in the phloem, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis of phloem exudates from the acbp3 mutant and wild type revealed that the AtACBP3 protein, but not its mRNA, was detected in the phloem sap. Furthermore, micrografting demonstrated that AtACBP3 expressed from the 35S promoter was translocated from shoot to root. Subsequently, AtACBP3 was localised to the companion cells, sieve elements and the apoplastic space of phloem tissue by immunogold electron microscopy using anti-AtACBP3 antibodies. AtACBP3pro::GUS was induced locally in Arabidopsis leaves upon wounding, and the expression of wound-responsive jasmonic acid marker genes (JASMONATE ZIM-DOMAIN10, VEGETATIVE STORAGE PROTEIN2, and LIPOXYGENASE2) increased more significantly in both locally wounded and systemic leaves of the wild type in comparison to acbp3 and AtACBP3-RNAi. Oxylipin-related fatty acid (FA) (C18:2-FA, C18:3-FA and methyl jasmonate) content was observed to be lower in acbp3 and AtACBP3-RNAi than wild-type phloem exudates using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Experiments using recombinant AtACBP3 in isothermal titration calorimetry analysis showed that medium- and long-chain acyl-CoA esters bind (His)₆-AtACBP3 with K_D values in the micromolar range. Taken together, these results suggest that AtACBP3 is likely to be a phloem-mobile protein that affects the FA pool and jasmonate content in the phloem, possibly by its binding to acyl-CoA esters.

G-fibre cell wall development in willow stems during tension wood induction

Willows (Salix spp.) are important as a potential feedstock for bioenergy and biofuels. Previous work suggested that reaction wood (RW) formation could be a desirable trait for biofuel production in willows as it is associated with increased glucose yields, but willow RW has not been characterized for cell wall components. Fasciclin-like arabinogalactan (FLA) proteins are highly up-regulated in RW of poplars and are considered to be involved in cell adhesion and cellulose biosynthesis. COBRA genes are involved in anisotropic cell expansion by modulating the orientation of cellulose microfibril deposition. This study determined the temporal and spatial deposition of non-cellulosic polysaccharides in cell walls of the tension wood (TW) component of willow RW and compared it with opposite wood (OW) and normal wood (NW) using specific antibodies and confocal laser scanning microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. In addition, the expression patterns of an FLA gene (SxFLA12) and a COBRA-like gene (SxCOBL4) were compared using RNA in situ hybridization. Deposition of the non-cellulosic polysaccharides (1-4)-β-D-galactan, mannan and de-esterified homogalacturonan was found to be highly associated with TW, often with the G-layer itself. Of particular interest was that the G-layer itself can be highly enriched in (1-4)-β-D-galactan, especially in G-fibres where the G-layer is still thickening, which contrasts with previous studies in poplar. Only xylan showed a similar distribution in TW, OW, and NW, being restricted to the secondary cell wall layers. SxFLA12 and SxCOBL4 transcripts were specifically expressed in developing TW, confirming their importance. A model of polysaccharides distribution in developing willow G-fibre cells is presented.

Performance of high-rate constructed phytoremediation process with attached growth for domestic wastewater treatment: effect of high TDS and Cu

Domestic wastewater treatment under specific influent conditions seriously stressed with total dissolved solids (TDS) and copper (Cu) metal was examined by a laboratory-scale model of the phytoremediation process with the attached growth system using Typha sp. As compared with conventional wetland systems, the process showed more stability and improved performance (88 ± 1.1% BOD5, 73 ± 1.0% NH3-N, 48 ± 2.0% PO4-P) at high organic loading rate (314 ± 18 g BOD5/m(3)/d) either in the presence of high TDS (∼2500 mg/L) or Cu metal (∼30 mg/L). Typha sp. could tolerate TDS concentrations up to 2500 mg/L. Cu-contaminated sewage can cause plant morphological deformities if the metal exceeds the saturation limit of 2416 and 21,036 mg/kg Cu in the shoots and roots, respectively. A minor reduction in the TDS (21%) was observed at the highest tolerable limit, whereas 67% reduction of Cu was observed at the process effluent. The process holds a great promise for main advantages of improved biofilm formation, reduced footprint, energy savings and increased efficiency in domestic wastewater treatment even under unfavorable conditions stressed by TDS and Cu.

Ectopic lignification in the flax lignified bast fiber1 mutant stem is associated with tissue-specific modifications in gene expression and cell wall composition

Histochemical screening of a flax ethyl methanesulfonate population led to the identification of 93 independent M2 mutant families showing ectopic lignification in the secondary cell wall of stem bast fibers. We named this core collection the Linum usitatissimum (flax) lbf mutants for lignified bast fibers and believe that this population represents a novel biological resource for investigating how bast fiber plants regulate lignin biosynthesis. As a proof of concept, we characterized the lbf1 mutant and showed that the lignin content increased by 350% in outer stem tissues containing bast fibers but was unchanged in inner stem tissues containing xylem. Chemical and NMR analyses indicated that bast fiber ectopic lignin was highly condensed and rich in G-units. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry profiling showed large modifications in the oligolignol pool of lbf1 inner- and outer-stem tissues that could be related to ectopic lignification. Immunological and chemical analyses revealed that lbf1 mutants also showed changes to other cell wall polymers. Whole-genome transcriptomics suggested that ectopic lignification of flax bast fibers could be caused by increased transcript accumulation of (1) the cinnamoyl-CoA reductase, cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase, and caffeic acid O-methyltransferase monolignol biosynthesis genes, (2) several lignin-associated peroxidase genes, and (3) genes coding for respiratory burst oxidase homolog NADPH-oxidases necessary to increase H2O2 supply.

Linen most useful: perspectives on structure, chemistry, and enzymes for retting flax

The components of flax (Linum usitatissimum) stems are described and illustrated, with reference to the anatomy and chemical makeup and to applications in processing and products. Bast fiber, which is a major economic product of flax along with linseed and linseed oil, is described with particular reference to its application in textiles, composites, and specialty papers. A short history of retting methods, which is the separation of bast fiber from nonfiber components, is presented with emphasis on water retting, field retting (dew retting), and experimental methods. Past research on enzyme retting, particularly by the use of pectinases as a potential replacement for the current commercial practice of field retting, is reviewed. The importance and mechanism of Ca²⁺ chelators with pectinases in retting are described. Protocols are provided for retting of both fiber-type and linseed-type flax stems with different types of pectinases. Current and future applications are listed for use of a wide array of enzymes to improve processed fibers and blended yarns. Finally, potential lipid and aromatic coproducts derived from the dust and shive waste streams of fiber processing are indicated.

Development of cellulosic secondary walls in flax fibers requires beta-galactosidase

Bast (phloem) fibers, tension wood fibers, and other cells with gelatinous-type secondary walls are rich in crystalline cellulose. In developing bast fibers of flax (Linum usitatissimum), a galactan-enriched matrix (Gn-layer) is gradually modified into a mature cellulosic gelatinous-layer (G-layer), which ultimately comprises most of the secondary cell wall. Previous studies have correlated this maturation process with expression of a putative β-galactosidase. Here, we demonstrate that β-galactosidase activity is in fact necessary for the dynamic remodeling of polysaccharides that occurs during normal secondary wall development in flax fibers. We found that developing stems of transgenic (LuBGAL-RNAi) flax with reduced β-galactosidase activity had lower concentrations of free Gal and had significant reductions in the thickness of mature cellulosic G-layers compared with controls. Conversely, Gn-layers, labeled intensively by the galactan-specific LM5 antibody, were greatly expanded in LuBGAL-RNAi transgenic plants. Gross morphology and stem anatomy, including the thickness of bast fiber walls, were otherwise unaffected by silencing of β-galactosidase transcripts. These results demonstrate a specific requirement for β-galactosidase in hydrolysis of galactans during formation of cellulosic G-layers. Transgenic lines with reduced β-galactosidase activity also had biochemical and spectroscopic properties consistent with a reduction in cellulose crystallinity. We further demonstrated that the tensile strength of normal flax stems is dependent on β-galactosidase-mediated development of the phloem fiber G-layer. Thus, the mechanical strength that typifies flax stems is dependent on a thick, cellulosic G-layer, which itself depends on β-galactosidase activity within the precursor Gn-layer. These observations demonstrate a novel role for matrix polysaccharides in cellulose deposition; the relevance of these observations to the development of cell walls in other species is also discussed.

Development and validation of a flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) gene expression oligo microarray

BACKGROUND

Flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) has been cultivated for around 9,000 years and is therefore one of the oldest cultivated species. Today, flax is still grown for its oil (oil-flax or linseed cultivars) and its cellulose-rich fibres (fibre-flax cultivars) used for high-value linen garments and composite materials. Despite the wide industrial use of flax-derived products, and our actual understanding of the regulation of both wood fibre production and oil biosynthesis more information must be acquired in both domains. Recent advances in genomics are now providing opportunities to improve our fundamental knowledge of these complex processes. In this paper we report the development and validation of a high-density oligo microarray platform dedicated to gene expression analyses in flax.

RESULTS

Nine different RNA samples obtained from flax inner- and outer-stems, seeds, leaves and roots were used to generate a collection of 1,066,481 ESTs by massive parallel pyrosequencing. Sequences were assembled into 59,626 unigenes and 48,021 sequences were selected for oligo design and high-density microarray (Nimblegen 385K) fabrication with eight, non-overlapping 25-mers oligos per unigene. 18 independent experiments were used to evaluate the hybridization quality, precision, specificity and accuracy and all results confirmed the high technical quality of our microarray platform. Cross-validation of microarray data was carried out using quantitative qRT-PCR. Nine target genes were selected on the basis of microarray results and reflected the whole range of fold change (both up-regulated and down-regulated genes in different samples). A statistically significant positive correlation was obtained comparing expression levels for each target gene across all biological replicates both in qRT-PCR and microarray results. Further experiments illustrated the capacity of our arrays to detect differential gene expression in a variety of flax tissues as well as between two contrasted flax varieties.

CONCLUSION

All results suggest that our high-density flax oligo-microarray platform can be used as a very sensitive tool for analyzing gene expression in a large variety of tissues as well as in different cultivars. Moreover, this highly reliable platform can also be used for the quantification of mRNA transcriptional profiling in different flax tissues.

NaCl effect on the distribution of wall ingrowth polymers and arabinogalactan proteins in type A transfer cells of Medicago sativa Gabès leaves

We studied the distribution of wall ingrowth (WI) polymers by probing thin sections of companion cells specialized as transfer cells in minor veins of Medicago sativa cv Gabès blade with affinity probes and antibodies specific to polysaccharides and glycoproteins. The wall polymers in the controls were similar in WIs and in the primary wall but differently distributed. The extent of labeling in these papillate WIs differed for JIM5 and JIM7 homogalacturonans but was in the same range for LM5 and LM6 rhamnogalacturonans and xyloglucans. These data show that WI enhancement probably requires arabinogalactan proteins (JIM8) mainly localized on the outer part of the primary wall and WIs. By comparison, NaCl-treated plants exhibited cell wall polysaccharide modifications indicating (1) an increase in unesterified homogalacturonans (JIM5), probably implicated in Na(+) binding and/or polysaccharide network interaction for limiting turgor variations in mesophyll cells; (2) enhancement of the xyloglucan network with an accumulation of fucosylated xyloglucans (CCRC-M1) known to increase the capacity of cellulose binding; and (3) specific recognition of JIM8 arabinogalactan proteins that could participate in both wall enlargement and cohesion by increasing the number of molecular interactions with the other polymers. In conclusion, the cell wall polysaccharide distribution in enlarged WIs might (1) participate in wall resistance to sequestration of Na(+), allowing a better control of hydric homeostasis in mesophyll cells to maintain metabolic activity in source leaves, and (2) maintain tolerance of M. sativa to NaCl.

Monoclonal antibodies to rhamnogalacturonan I backbone

Monoclonal antibodies were raised against rhamnogalacturonan I backbone, a pectin domain, using Arabidopsis thaliana seed mucilage-derived rhamnogalacturonan I oligosaccharides--BSA conjugates. Two monoclonal antibodies, designated INRA-RU1 and INRA-RU2, selected for further characterization, were specific for the backbone of rhamnogalacturonan I, displaying no binding activity against the other pectin domains i.e. homogalacturonans, galactans or arabinans. A range of oligosaccharides was prepared by enzymatic digestion of rhamnogalacturonan I isolated from Arabidopsis thaliana seed mucilage and from sugar beet pectin, purified by low-pressure chromatography and characterized by high-performance anion-exchange chromatography and mass spectrometry. These rhamnogalacturonan I oligomers were used to characterize the binding site of the two monoclonal antibodies by competitive inhibition. Both INRA-RU1 and INRA-RU2 showed maximal binding to the [-->2)-alpha-L-rhamnosep-(1-->4)-alpha-D-galacturonic acid p-(1-->](7) structural motif but differed in their minimum binding requirement. INRA-RU2 required at least two disaccharide (rhamnose-galacturonic acid) repeats for the antibody to bind, while INRA-RU1 required a minimum of six disaccharide repeats. Furthermore, the binding capacity of INRA-RU1 decreased steeply as the number of disaccharide repeats go beyond seven. Each of these antibodies reacted with hairy regions isolated from sugar beet pectin. Immunofluorescence microscopy indicated that both antibodies can be readily used to detect rhamnogalacturonan I epitopes in various cell wall samples.

In situ analysis of cell wall polymers associated with phloem fibre cells in stems of hemp, Cannabis sativa L

A study of stem anatomy and the sclerenchyma fibre cells associated with the phloem tissues of hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) plants is of interest for both understanding the formation of secondary cell walls and for the enhancement of fibre utility as industrial fibres and textiles. Using a range of molecular probes for cell wall polysaccharides we have surveyed the presence of cell wall components in stems of hemp in conjunction with an anatomical survey of stem and phloem fibre development. The only polysaccharide detected to occur abundantly throughout the secondary cell walls of phloem fibres was cellulose. Pectic homogalacturonan epitopes were detected in the primary cell walls/intercellular matrices between the phloem fibres although these epitopes were present at a lower level than in the surrounding parenchyma cell walls. Arabinogalactan-protein glycan epitopes displayed a diversity of occurrence in relation to fibre development and the JIM14 epitope was specific to fibre cells, binding to the inner surface of secondary cell walls, throughout development. Xylan epitopes were found to be present in the fibre cells (and xylem secondary cell walls) and absent from adjacent parenchyma cell walls. Analysis of xylan occurrence in the phloem fibre cells of hemp and flax indicated that xylan epitopes were restricted to the primary cell walls of fibre cells and were not present in the secondary cell walls of these cells.

Microarray analysis of flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) stems identifies transcripts enriched in fibre-bearing phloem tissues

To better understand the molecular processes associated with the development of the unusually long (> 30 mm) and strong bast fibre cells within the phloem of flax stems, we conducted a gene discovery experiment to identify transcripts enriched in fibre-bearing tissues, with the intention that these transcripts would serve as future targets for crop improvement and research in phloem development and cell wall deposition. We produced a library of 9,600 cDNA clones from the peels of flax stems, and selected tissue-specific cDNAs for sequencing based on two series of microarray experiments. In the first microarray series, we compared transcript abundance in stem-peels and leaves, and identified stem-enriched transcripts putatively involved in the processes of polysaccharide and cell wall metabolism. In the second microarray series, we compared gene expression in three segments of the vertical stem axis, which constituted a developmental series for phloem fibres and other cell types. The expression of specific LTP and AGP transcripts was particularly well-correlated with stem segments during either the elongation phase or cell-wall thickening phase of phloem fibre development, and the phloem-specific enrichment of these transcripts was confirmed by qRT-PCR. Transcripts representing multiple, distinct chitinases, beta-galactosidases, arabinogalactan proteins (AGP), and lipid transfer proteins (LTPs) were among the interesting transcripts enriched in specific stages of the developing stem. Considered together, the results of our analyses suggest similarity between the molecular mechanisms underlying phloem fibre development and the gelatinous fibres of tension wood in trees.

Deficiency of adenosine kinase activity affects the degree of pectin methyl-esterification in cell walls of Arabidopsis thaliana

Pectin methyl-esterification is catalysed by S-adenosyl-L: -methionine (SAM)-dependent methyltransferases. As deficiency in adenosine kinase (ADK; EC 2.7.1.20) activity impairs SAM recycling and utilization, we investigated the relationship between ADK-deficiency and the degree of pectin methyl-esterification in cell walls of Arabidopsis thaliana. The distribution patterns of epitopes associated with methyl-esterified homogalacturonan in leaves and hypocotyls of wild-type (WT) and ADK-deficient plants were examined using immunolocalization and biochemical techniques. JIM5 and LM7 epitopes, characteristic of low esterified pectins, were more irregularly distributed along the cell wall in ADK-deficient plants than in WT cell walls. In addition, epitopes recognized by JIM7, characteristic of pectins with a higher degree of methyl-esterification, were less abundant in ADK-deficient leaves and hypocotyls. Since de-esterified pectins have enhanced adhesion properties, we propose that the higher abundance and the altered distribution of low methyl-esterified pectin in ADK-deficient cell walls lead to the leaf shape abnormalities observed in these plants.

Differential recognition of plant cell walls by microbial xylan-specific carbohydrate-binding modules

Glycoside hydrolases that degrade plant cell walls have complex molecular architectures in which one or more catalytic modules are appended to noncatalytic carbohydrate-binding modules (CBMs). CBMs promote binding to polysaccharides and potentiate enzymic hydrolysis. Although there are diverse sequence-based families of xylan-binding CBMs, these modules, in general, recognize both decorated and unsubstituted forms of the target polysaccharide, and thus the evolutionary rationale for this diversity is unclear. Using immunohistochemistry to interrogate the specificity of six xylan-binding CBMs for their target polysaccharides in cell walls has revealed considerable differences in the recognition of plant materials between these protein modules. Family 2b and 15 CBMs bind to xylan in secondary cell walls in a range of dicotyledon species, whereas family 4, 6, and 22 CBMs display a more limited capability to bind to secondary cell walls. A family 35 CBM, which displays more restricted ligand specificity against purified xylans than the other five protein modules, reveals a highly distinctive binding pattern to plant material including the recognition of primary cell walls of certain dicotyledons, a feature shared with CBM15. Differences in the specificity of the CBMs toward walls of wheat grain and maize coleoptiles were also evident. The variation in CBM specificity for ligands located in plant cell walls provides a biological rationale for the repertoire of structurally distinct xylan-binding CBMs present in nature, and points to the utility of these modules in probing the molecular architecture of cell walls.

Secondary cell-wall assembly in flax phloem fibres: role of galactans

Non-lignified fibre cells (named gelatinous fibres) are present in tension wood and the stems of fibre crops (such as flax and hemp). These cells develop a very thick S2 layer within the secondary cell wall, which is characterised by (1) cellulose microfibrils largely parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cell, and (2) a high proportion of galactose-containing polymers among the non-cellulosic polysaccharides. In this review, we focus on the role of these polymers in the assembly of gelatinous fibres of flax. At the different stages of fibre development, we analyse in detail data based on sugar composition, linkages of pectic polymers, and immunolocalisation of the beta-(1-->4)-galactans. These data indicate that high molecular-mass gelatinous galactans accumulate in specialised Golgi-derived vesicles during fibre cell-wall thickening. They consist of RG-I-like polymers with side chains of beta-(1-->4)-linked galactose. Most of them are short, but there are also long chains containing up to 28 galactosyl residues. At fibre maturity, two types of cross-linked galactans are identified, a C-L structure that resembles the part of soluble galactan with long side chains and a C-S structure with short chains. Different possibilities for soluble galactan to give rise to C-L and C-S are analysed. In addition, we discuss the prospect for the soluble galactan in preventing the newly formed cellulose chains from completing immediate crystallisation. This leads to a hypothesis that firstly the secretion of soluble galactans plays a role in the axial orientation of cellulose microfibrils, and secondly the remodelling and cross-linking of pectic galactans are linked to the dehydration and the assembly of S2 layer.

Loss of pectin is an early event during infection of cocoyam roots by Pythium myriotylum

Cocoyam (Xanthosoma sagittifolium) is an important tuber crop in most tropical zones of Africa and America. In Cameroon, its cultivation is hampered by a soil-borne fungus Pythium myriotylum which is responsible for root rot disease. The mechanism of root colonisation by the fungus has yet to be elucidated. In this study, using microscopical and immunocytochemical methods, we provide a new evidence regarding the mode of action of the fungus and we describe the reaction of the plant to the early stages of fungal invasion. We show that the fungal attack begins with the colonisation of the peripheral and epidermal cells of the root apex. These cells are rapidly lost upon infection, while cortical and stele cells are not. Labelling with the cationic gold, which binds to negatively charged wall polymers such as pectins, is absent in cortical cells and in the interfacial zone of the infected roots while it is abundant in the cell walls of stele cells. A similar pattern of labelling is also found when using the anti-pectin monoclonal antibody JIM5, but not with anti-xyloglucan antibodies. This suggests that early during infection, the fungus causes a significant loss of pectin probably via degradation by hydrolytic enzymes that diffuse and act away from the site of attack. Additional support for pectin loss is the demonstration, via sugar analysis, that a significant decrease in galacturonic acid content occurred in infected root cell walls. In addition, we demonstrate that one of the early reactions of X. sagittifolium to the fungal invasion is the formation of wall appositions that are rich in callose and cellulose.

Distribution of cell wall components in Sphagnum hyaline cells and in liverwort and hornwort elaters

Spiral secondary walls are found in hyaline cells of Sphagnum, in the elaters of most liverworts, and in elaters of the hornwort Megaceros. Recent studies on these cells suggest that cytoskeletal and ultrastructural processes involved in cell differentiation and secondary wall formation are similar in bryophytes and vascular plant tracheary elements. To examine differences in wall structure, primary and secondary wall constituents of the hyaline cells of Sphagnum novo-zelandicum and elaters of the liverwort Radula buccinifera and the hornwort Megaceros gracilis were analyzed by immunohistochemical and chemical methods. Anti-arabinogalactan-protein antibodies, JIM8 and JIM13, labeled the central fibrillar secondary wall layer of Megaceros elaters and the walls of Sphagnum leaf cells, but did not label the walls of Radula elaters. The CCRC-M7 antibody, which detects an arabinosylated (1-->6)-linked beta-galactan epitope, exclusively labeled hyaline cells in Sphagnum leaves and the secondary walls of Radula elaters. Anti-pectin antibodies, LM5 and JIM5, labeled the primary wall in Megaceros elaters. LM5 also labeled the central layer of the secondary wall but only during formation. In Radula elaters, JIM5 and another anti-pectin antibody, JIM7, labeled the primary wall. The distribution of arabinogalactan-proteins and pectic polysaccharides restricted to specific wall types and stages of development provides evidence for the developmental and functional regulation of cell wall composition in bryophytes. Monosaccharide-linkage analysis of Sphagnum leaf cell walls suggests they contain polysaccharides similar to those of higher plants. The most abundant linkage was 4-Glc, typical of cellulose, but there was also evidence for xyloglucans, 4-linked mannans, 4-linked xylans and rhamnogalacturonan-type polysaccharides.

Polarized Vibrational Spectroscopy of Fiber Polymers: Hydrogen Bonding in Cellulose II

Vibrational spectroscopy using polarized incident radiation can be used to determine the orientation of X-H bonds with respect to coordinates such as crystallographic axes. The adaptation of this approach to polymer fibers is described here. It requires spectral intensity to be quantified around a 180 degrees range of polarization angles and not just recorded transversely and longitudinally as is normal in fiber spectroscopy. Mercerized cellulose II is used as an example. The unit cell of the cellulose II lattice contains six distinct hydroxyl groups engaged in a complex network of hydrogen bonds that hold the cellulose chains laterally together. A formalism is described to relate the variation in intensity of each O-H stretching mode to the angle between its transition moment and the chain axis as the polarization axis is rotated with respect to the fiber axis. It was necessary to include the effect of dispersion in chain orientation around the mean and the averaging of all rotational positions of the chains round their axis. The two crystallographically distinct O(2)-H groups, which are each hydrogen-bonded to only one acceptor oxygen, show a close match in orientation between the transition moments of their stretching bands and the O-H bond axis. The two O(3)-H groups each have a three-centered hydrogen bond to O-5 and O-6 of the next residue in the same chain. The transition moments of their stretching modes lay between the acceptor oxygens. Hydrogen bonding from the O(6)-H groups is still more complex but again the transition moment of each O-H bond lay within the cone of orientations described by the acceptor oxygens, provided that one additional acceptor oxygen excluded from the published crystal structure was considered. The transition moments for the O-H stretching modes were approximately aligned with the O-H bond axes, but the alignment was not necessarily exact. This approach is not restricted to hydroxyl groups, but it is particularly useful for the elucidation of hydrogen bonding in fibrous polymers for which crystallographic data on proton positions are not available.