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Updated: Jul 19, 2025

Structural Characterization of Mannan Cell Wall Polysaccharides in Plants Using PACE
Published on: October 16, 2017
Duckweed pectic-arabinogalactan-proteins can crosslink through borate diester bonds
Li Tan1, Mayumi Ishihara2, Ian Black1
1Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, University of Georgia, 315 Riverbend Road, Athens, GA 30602, United States of America; DOE Center for Plant and Microbial Complex Carbohydrates, University of Georgia, 315 Riverbend Road, Athens, GA 30602, United States of America.
Abstract:
Material containing pectin and arabinogalactan-protein (AGP) was released and purified from Spirodela alcohol insoluble residues. Results of carbohydrate analyses and two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy suggest that this material is composed of apiogalacturonan and rhamnogalacturonan-I covalently attached to AGPs. 11B NMR spectroscopy indicated that some of the glycoses in this complex exist as their boric acid monoesters. Borate diesters were formed when the pectic-AGPs were allowed to react at pH above 6.2 with the boron-depleted pectic-AGPs, suggesting that in vitro two pectic-AGP molecules can crosslink to one another through borate. Borate diesters also formed when the pectic-AGPs were incubated with monomeric rhamnogalacturonan-II in the presence of Pb2+ ion at pH 9.2. This data presents evidence of the first wall polymer after rhamnogalacturonan-II to crosslink through borate diesters. We suggest that the formation of these borate-crosslinks may help Spirodela respond to high-pH condition.
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