Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 8, 2026

Using High Resolution Computed Tomography to Visualize the Three Dimensional Structure and Function of Plant Vasculature
Published on: April 5, 2013
Hydrolase treatments help unravel the function of intervessel pits in xylem hydraulics
Anaïs Dusotoit-Coucaud1, Nicole Brunel, Aude Tixier
1INRA, UMR547 PIAF, 5 Chemin de Beaulieu, 63039, Clermont-Ferrand, Cedex 02, France; Clermont Université, Université Blaise-Pascal, UMR547 PIAF, BP 10448, 63000, Clermont-Ferrand, France.
Abstract:
Intervessel pits are structures that play a key role in the efficiency and safety functions of xylem hydraulics. However, little is known about the components of the pit membrane (PM) and their role in hydraulic functions, especially in resistance to cavitation. We tested the effect of commercial chemicals including a cellulase, a hemicellulase, a pectolyase, a proteinase and DTT on xylem hydraulic properties: vulnerability to cavitation (VC) and conductance. The effects were tested on branch segments from Fagus sylvatica (where the effects on pit structure were analyzed using TEM) and Populus tremula. Cellulose hydrolysis resulted in a sharp increase in VC and a significant increase in conductance, related to complete breakdown of the PM. Pectin hydrolysis also induced a sharp increase in VC but with no effect on conductance or pit structure observable by TEM. The other treatments with hemicellulase, proteinase or DTT showed no effect. This study brings evidence that cellulose and pectins are critical components underpinning VC, and that PM components may play distinct roles in the xylem hydraulic safety and efficiency.
Related Concept Videos
Xylem and Transpiration-driven Transport of Resources
ATP Driven Pumps I: An Overview
There are four main types of ATP-driven pumps - P-type, V-type, F-type, and ABC transporter. All these pumps are of varying complexities and are...
ATP Driven Pumps III: V-type Pumps
The peripheral or cytosolic V1 domain with eight subunits is involved in ATP hydrolysis. The integral or transmembrane V0 domain containing at least five subunits...
The Apoplast and Symplast
Lysosomal Hydrolases
Aquaporins

