Differences in glycosyltransferase family 61 accompany variation in seed coat mucilage composition in Plantago spp

Xylans are the most abundant non-cellulosic polysaccharide found in plant cell walls. A diverse range of xylan structures influence tissue function during growth and development. Despite the abundance of xylans in nature, details of the genes and biochemical pathways controlling their biosynthesis a...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of experimental botany 2016-12, Vol.67 (22), p.6481-6495
Main Authors: Phan, Jana L., Tucker, Matthew R., Khor, Shi Fang, Shirley, Neil, Lahnstein, Jelle, Beahan, Cherie, Bacic, Antony, Burton, Rachel A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Glycosyltransferases - genetics
Glycosyltransferases - metabolism
Microscopy
Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
Phylogeny
Plant Mucilage - analysis
Plant Mucilage - metabolism
Plantago - enzymology
Plantago - genetics
Plantago - metabolism
Plantago - physiology
Polymerase Chain Reaction
RESEARCH PAPER
Seeds - chemistry
Seeds - enzymology
Seeds - growth & development
Seeds - physiology
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Summary:Xylans are the most abundant non-cellulosic polysaccharide found in plant cell walls. A diverse range of xylan structures influence tissue function during growth and development. Despite the abundance of xylans in nature, details of the genes and biochemical pathways controlling their biosynthesis are lacking. In this study we have utilized natural variation within the Plantago genus to examine variation in heteroxylan composition and structure in seed coat mucilage. Compositional assays were combined with analysis of the glycosyltransferase family 61 (GT61) family during seed coat development, with the aim of identifying GT61 sequences participating in xylan backbone substitution. The results reveal natural variation in heteroxylan content and structure, particularly in P. ovata and P. cunninghamii, species which show a similar amount of heteroxylan but different backbone substitution profiles. Analysis of the GT61 family identified specific sequences co-expressed with IRREGULAR XYLEM 10 genes, which encode putative xylan synthases, revealing a close temporal association between xylan synthesis and substitution. Moreover, in P. ovata, several abundant GT61 sequences appear to lack orthologues in P. cunninghamii. Our results indicate that natural variation in Plantago species can be exploited to reveal novel details of seed coat development and polysaccharide biosynthetic pathways.
ISSN:0022-0957
1460-2431
DOI:10.1093/jxb/erw424