Methylesterification of pectic homogalacturonan and the role of PME-PMEI families in poplar wood development

Lin Zheng , Biying Li , Yajuan Chen , Liping Ding , Shanshan Xue , Muqing Ma , Zongyun Yan , Jianhua Wei , Hongzhi Wang
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Abstract

Pectin is a key component of plant cell walls that impacts plant development by modulating cell adhesion and wall stiffness through methylesterification by pectin methylesterase (PME). While its role in primary cell walls is well established, its specific functions and regulatory mechanisms in secondary xylem (i.e., wood formation) remain poorly understood. This study investigated the role of pectin methylesterification in wood development. We discovered that both low- and high-methylesterified homogalacturonan (HG) are abundant in the cambium and expanding xylem regions of secondary vascular tissues. Using integrative bioinformatics approaches, we identified 75 PtrPMEs and 61 PtrPMEIs within the Populus trichocarpa genome, many of which are highly expressed during wood formation. Notably, several PtrPMEs and PtrPMEIs with similar expression patterns are capable of interacting, suggesting post-translational regulation of PME activity during wood formation. Specifically, the highly expressed PtrPME10, PtrPME70, PtrPMEI50, and PtrPMEI58 during secondary cell wall deposition were co-expressed with genes involved in monolignol polymerization across 51 poplar tissues and organs, implying a putative role in lignin biosynthesis. Furthermore, overexpression of the Populus ortholog of PtrPME45 in P. davidiana ​× ​bolleana led to increased demethylesterification of HG, resulting in reduced lengths and widths of vessel and fiber cells in secondary xylem. Our study uncovers specific roles of PME in wood formation and elucidates regulatory mechanisms controlling PME activity during wood development. These findings on the interplay between PME and lignin biosynthesis provide a potential strategy for genetic improvement of woody plants, with implications for forestry and bioenergy applications.
果胶均半乳糖醛酸的甲基化及PME-PMEI家族在杨木发育中的作用
果胶是植物细胞壁的重要组成部分,通过果胶甲基化酶(PME)的甲基化反应调节细胞粘附和细胞壁硬度,从而影响植物的发育。虽然它在初生细胞壁中的作用已经确定,但它在次生木质部(即木材形成)中的具体功能和调节机制仍然知之甚少。研究了果胶甲基化反应在木材发育中的作用。我们发现,在次生维管组织的形成层和扩张木质部中,低甲基化和高甲基化的均半乳糖酸(HG)含量丰富。利用综合生物信息学方法,我们在毛杨基因组中鉴定了75个PtrPMEs和61个PtrPMEIs,其中许多在木材形成过程中高度表达。值得注意的是,几种具有相似表达模式的PtrPMEs和PtrPMEIs能够相互作用,这表明PME活性在木材形成过程中受到翻译后调控。具体来说,在次生细胞壁沉积过程中高表达的PtrPME10、PtrPME70、PtrPMEI50和PtrPMEI58与51个杨树组织和器官中参与单脂醇聚合的基因共表达,这意味着可能在木质素生物合成中起作用。此外,在杨树同源基因PtrPME45的过表达导致了HG的去甲基化反应增加,导致次生木质部导管细胞和纤维细胞的长度和宽度减小。我们的研究揭示了PME在木材形成中的具体作用,并阐明了木材发育过程中控制PME活性的调节机制。这些关于PME与木质素生物合成之间相互作用的发现为木本植物的遗传改良提供了潜在的策略,对林业和生物能源的应用具有重要意义。
本文章由计算机程序翻译,如有差异,请以英文原文为准。
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