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Stomatal Function Requires Pectin De-methyl-esterification of the Guard Cell Wall
Sam Amsbury1, Lee Hunt2, Nagat Elhaddad3
1Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK.
Current Biology : CB
|October 11, 2016
Summary
Guard cell walls rich in un-esterified pectins are crucial for stomatal function. A pectin methylesterase gene, PME6, regulates pectin status, impacting stomatal dynamics and plant growth.
Area of Science:
- Plant Physiology
- Cell Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Stomatal opening/closure relies on guard cell turgor pressure, influenced by cell wall mechanics.
- Guard cell anisotropy is known, but cell wall composition enabling dynamic shape changes is poorly understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of cell wall composition in guard cell function.
- To identify genes regulating guard cell wall properties and their impact on stomatal physiology.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of guard cell wall composition, focusing on pectin.
- Identification and characterization of pectin methylesterase (PME) genes in guard cells.
- Phenotypic analysis of mutant plants (pme6-1) under varying conditions.
Main Results:
- Guard cell walls are rich in un-esterified pectins.
- PME6 is highly expressed in guard cells and essential for stomatal function.
- pme6-1 mutants exhibit altered pectin methylation, impaired stomatal response, reduced growth, and altered gas exchange.
Conclusions:
- PME6 regulates guard cell wall pectin status, directly affecting stomatal function and plant physiology.
- Guard cell gene expression influences cell wall properties, with significant consequences for plant growth and gas exchange.
- Restoration of PME6 function rescues guard cell wall properties, stomatal function, and plant growth.
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