Cell wall arabinan is essential for guard cell function

McQueen-Mason, S., Jones, L., Milne, J.L. and Ashford, D. (2003) Cell wall arabinan is essential for guard cell function. PNAS. pp. 11783-11788. ISSN 1091-6490

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Abstract

Stomatal guard cells play a key role in the ability of plants to survive on dry land, because their movements regulate the exchange of gases and water vapor between the external environment and the interior of the plant. The walls of these cells are exceptionally strong and must undergo large and reversible deformation during stomatal opening and closing. The molecular basis of the unique strength and flexibility of guard cell walls is unknown. We show that degradation of cell wall arabinan prevents either stomatal opening or closing. This locking of guard cell wall movements can be reversed if homogalacturonan is subsequently removed from the wall. We suggest that arabinans maintain flexibility in the cell wall by preventing homogalacturonan polymers from forming tight associations.

Item Type:	Article
Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information:	Copyright © 2003 by the National Academy of Sciences.
Keywords:	COMMELINA-COMMUNIS, FERULIC ACID, POLYGALACTURONASE, PECTIN, POLYSACCHARIDES, PURIFICATION, TOMATO
Academic Units:	The University of York > Biology (York) > Centre for Novel Agricultural Products (CNAP) (York)
Depositing User:	Repository Officer
Date Deposited:	29 Jun 2005
Last Modified:	19 Feb 2013 11:57
Published Version:	http://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1832434100
Status:	Published
Refereed:	Yes
Related URLs:	http://www.pnas.org/cgi/reprint/98/20/11...
URI:	http://eprints.whiterose.ac.uk/id/eprint/534

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