Abstract
The cell wall emerged as one of the important structures in plant stress responses. To investigate the effect of cold on the cell wall properties, the content and localization of pectins and pectin methylesterase (PME) activity, were studied in two maize inbred lines characterized by different sensitivity to cold. Low temperature (14/12 °C) caused a reduction of pectin content and PME activity in leaves of chilling-sensitive maize line, especially after prolonged treatment (28 h and 7 days). Furthermore, immunocytohistological studies, using JIM5 and JIM7 antibodies, revealed a decrease of labeling of both low- and high-methylesterified pectins in this maize line. The osmotic potential, quantified by means of incipient plasmolysis was lower in several types of cells of chilling-sensitive maize line which was correlated with the accumulation of sucrose. These studies present new finding on the effect of cold stress on the cell wall properties in conjunction with changes in the osmotic potential of maize leaf cells.
Highlights
Cell walls, Bthe first line of protection^, take a crucial part in the plant functioning, starting from determination of cell shape, due to its mechanical properties, to the protection against negative impact of environmental factors
Primary cell wall polysaccharides in the majority of terrestrial plants can be classified into three groups: cellulose, hemicelluloses, and pectins where cellulose is organized in microfibrils embedded in the matrix formed by pectins and
Pectins characterized by high galacturonic acid content, were classified into four main groups: homogalacturonan (HGA), rhamnogalacturonan I (RGI), rhamnogalacturonan II (RGII), and xylogalacturonan (XGA) (Ridley et al 2001; Mohnen 2008)
Summary
Bthe first line of protection^, take a crucial part in the plant functioning, starting from determination of cell shape, due to its mechanical properties, to the protection against negative impact of environmental factors. Changes may affect the biomechanical properties, e.g., through chemical modifications of the cell wall components. Aluminum stress caused an increase in the content of pectin in roots of maize and wheat, while in cell wall of flax hypocotyl (Linum usitatissimum L.) treated with cadmium content of high-esterified homogalacturonans were reduced (Eticha et al 2005; Hossain et al 2006; Douchiche et al 2010). Solecka et al (2008) demonstrated that in cold-acclimated leaves of winter oil-seed rape changes in the pectins content and PME activity have been associated with modifications of the biomechanical properties (higher rigidity) of cell wall. Cold acclimation resulted in increase in the content of other cell wall sugars, such as galactose, arabinose, and glucose in these plants (Kubacka-Zębalska and Kacperska 1999). In response to cold acclimation of C4 grass from genus Miscanthus, a significant increase in phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity and decrease in lignin content in cell walls were observed (Domon et al 2013)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
