Whole-seed Immunolabeling of Arabidopsis Mucilage Polysaccharides

In addition to synthesizing and secreting copious amounts of pectic polymers ( Young et al., 2008 ), Arabidopsis thaliana seed coat epidermal cells produce small amounts of cellulose and hemicelluloses typical of secondary cell walls ( Voiniciuc et al., 2015c ). These components are intricately linked and are released as a large mucilage capsule upon hydration of mature seeds. Alterations in the structure of minor mucilage components can have dramatic effects on the architecture of this gelatinous cell wall. The immunolabeling protocol described here makes it possible to visualize the distribution of specific polysaccharides in the seed mucilage capsule.