Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 11, 2026
10:46
Comprehensive Compositional Analysis of Plant Cell Walls Lignocellulosic biomass Part II: Carbohydrates
Published on: March 12, 2010
31.2K
A cell wall reference profile for Miscanthus bioenergy crops highlights compositional and structural variations
Ricardo M F da Costa1, Sivakumar Pattathil2,3, Utku Avci2,3
1Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences, Aberystwyth University, Plas Gogerddan, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 3EE, UK.
The New Phytologist
|November 19, 2016
Summary
Miscanthus cell wall composition varies significantly across genotypes and growth stages. Understanding these glycan variations is key to improving Miscanthus as a sustainable bioenergy feedstock.
Area of Science:
- Biomass characterization
- Plant cell wall biology
- Bioenergy crop development
Background:
- Miscanthus spp. are valuable lignocellulosic energy crops.
- Cell wall recalcitrance limits their use in biorefining.
- A reference profile for Miscanthus biomass quality is needed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To create a reference profile of Miscanthus cell wall composition.
- To analyze glycan variations in leaf and stem biomass.
- To guide breeding for improved bioenergy crops.
Main Methods:
- Multidimensional cell wall analysis across genotypes and harvest times.
- Utilized 155 monoclonal antibodies for glycan monitoring.
- Employed glycan microarrays and immunohistochemistry.
Main Results:
- Identified crucial differences in Miscanthus cell wall glycomes.
- Characterized variations in glycan distribution, structure, and extractability.
- Established a comprehensive reference profile for Miscanthus cell wall biomass.
Conclusions:
- Miscanthus cell wall glycan profiles vary significantly.
- This detailed characterization aids in selecting superior energy crop varieties.
- Informs genetic engineering and breeding strategies for enhanced biomass quality.
Related Concept Videos
02:43Plant Cell Wall
61.4K
The plant cell wall gives plant cells shape, support, and protection. As a cell matures, its cell wall specializes according to the cell type. For example, the parenchyma cells of leaves possess only a thin, primary cell wall.
61.4K
01:07Plant Cell Wall
8.3K
Plant cells have a cell wall, a rigid outer covering that protects the cell and provides shape and support. During cell division, a mixture of enzymes, proteins, and glucose molecules is transported via vesicles to the center of the cell. These vesicles continuously fuse and build a cell plate between the dividing cells. As the cell plate matures, new polysaccharides are added to it to form the cell walls of the daughter cells. The predominant polysaccharide in the cell wall is cellulose, made...
8.3K
01:02Role of Microtubules in Cell Wall Deposition
3.3K
Microtubules are small hollow tubes in eukaryotic cells. The cell wall microtubules are polymerized dimers of two globular proteins, α-tubulin and β-tubulin, two globular proteins. With a diameter of about 25 nm, microtubules are the widest components of the cytoskeleton. They help the cell resist compression and provide a track along which vesicles move through the cell or pull replicated chromosomes to opposite ends of a dividing cell. Microtubules go through quick cycles of...
3.3K
01:15Cellulose and Pectic Polysaccharides
5.2K
Every plant cell has a cell wall that protects the cell, provides structural support, and gives the cell shape. Cellulose, the main structural component of the plant cell wall, makes up over 30% of plant matter. It is the most abundant organic compound on earth. Cellulose is an unbranched polysaccharide composed of linear chains of glucose molecules linked by β (1→4) glycosidic bonds.
As a cell matures, its cell wall specializes according to its type. For example, the...
As a cell matures, its cell wall specializes according to its type. For example, the...
5.2K
01:29Archaeal Cell Wall
1.5K
Archaeal cell walls are structurally and compositionally distinct from their bacterial counterparts, lacking the characteristic peptidoglycan layer found in most bacteria. Instead, archaeal cell walls exhibit remarkable diversity, utilizing materials such as pseudomurein, polysaccharides, and proteins to construct their protective outer layers. This structural flexibility is closely tied to archaea's ecological adaptability.S-Layers: The Common Archaeal Cell WallThe S-layer is the most...
1.5K
01:14Cell Adhesion in Plants
3.5K
Plants have rigid cell walls that are made up of cell wall polysaccharides that mediate cell-cell adhesion. The primary cell walls of plants consist of two independent and interacting polysaccharide networks: a pectin matrix that embeds the second network comprising cellulose and hemicelluloses.
Pectins are complex heteropolymers mainly composed of negatively-charged α-D-glucopyranosyl uronic acid and some neutral glycosyl residues such as α-L-rhamnopyranose, α-L-arabinofuranose,...
Pectins are complex heteropolymers mainly composed of negatively-charged α-D-glucopyranosyl uronic acid and some neutral glycosyl residues such as α-L-rhamnopyranose, α-L-arabinofuranose,...
3.5K