Inducible expression of Pisum sativum xyloglucan fucosyltransferase in the pea root cap meristem, and effects of antisense mRNA expression on root cap cell wall structural integrity

Fushi Wen, Rhodesia M. Celoy, Trang Nguyen, Weiqing Zeng, Kenneth Keegstra, Peter Immerzeel, Markus Pauly, Martha C. Hawes

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

9 Scopus citations

Abstract

Mitosis and cell wall synthesis in the legume root cap meristem can be induced and synchronized by the nondestructive removal of border cells from the cap periphery. Newly synthesized cells can be examined microscopically as they differentiate progressively during cap development, and ultimately detach as a new population of border cells. This system was used to demonstrate that Pisum sativum L. fucosyl transferase (PsFut1) mRNA expression is strongly expressed in root meristematic tissues, and is induced >2-fold during a 5-h period when mitosis in the root cap meristem is increased. Expression of PsFut1 antisense mRNA in pea hairy roots under the control of the CaMV35S promoter, which exhibits meristem localized expression in pea root caps, resulted in a 50-60% reduction in meristem localized endogenous PsFut1 mRNA expression measured using whole mount in situ hybridization. Changes in gross levels of cell wall fucosylated xyloglucan were not detected, but altered surface localization patterns were detected using whole mount immunolocalization with CCRC-M1, an antibody that recognizes fucosylated xyloglucan. Emerging hairy roots expressing antisense PsFut1 mRNA appeared normal macroscopically but scanning electron microscopy of tissues with altered CCRC-M1 localization patterns revealed wrinkled, collapsed cell surfaces. As individual border cells separated from the cap periphery, cell death occurred in correlation with extrusion of cellular contents through breaks in the wall.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1125-1135
Number of pages11
JournalPlant Cell Reports
Volume27
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 2008
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Cell walls
  • Fucose
  • Hairy roots
  • Root cap meristem

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Agronomy and Crop Science
  • Plant Science

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Inducible expression of Pisum sativum xyloglucan fucosyltransferase in the pea root cap meristem, and effects of antisense mRNA expression on root cap cell wall structural integrity'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this