Cell wall traits that influence plant development, immunity, and bioconversion

• Published in: The Plant journal : for cell and molecular biology Vol. 97; no. 1; pp. 134 - 147
• Main Authors: Lorenzo, Giulia, Ferrari, Simone, Giovannoni, Moira, Mattei, Benedetta, Cervone, Felice
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.01.2019
• Subjects: Bioconversion; Biomass energy production; Cell Membrane - metabolism; Cell size; Cell Wall - metabolism; cell wall damage; cell wall DAMPs; Cell walls; Damage patterns; egg‐boxes; growth; Immunity; Oligosaccharides; Organs; Pectin; Pectins - metabolism; plant cell wall; Plant Development; Plant Immunity; Plant Physiological Phenomena; Plant tissues; Plants - genetics; Plants - immunology; Plants - metabolism; Signal Transduction; Specialization; Stress, Physiological; cell wall DAMPs; growth; cell wall damage; plant cell wall; pectin; egg-boxes
• ISSN: 0960-7412; 1365-313X
• DOI: 10.1111/tpj.14196

Summary The architecture of the plant cell wall is highly dynamic, being substantially re‐modeled during growth and development. Cell walls determine the size and shape of cells and contribute to the functional specialization of tissues and organs. Beyond the physiological dynamics, the wall structure undergoes changes upon biotic or abiotic stresses. In this review several cell wall traits, mainly related to pectin, one of the major matrix components, will be discussed in relation to plant development, immunity and industrial bioconversion of biomass, especially for energy production. Plant cell walls are a source of oligosaccharide fragments with a signaling function for both development and immunity. Sensing cell wall damage, sometimes through the perception of released damage‐associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), is crucial for some developmental and immunity responses. Methodological advances that are expected to deepen our knowledge of cell wall (CW) biology will also be presented. Significance Statement The importance of cell wall pectin in influencing plant growth and developmental processes, defenses against microbes and saccharification efficiency of plant biomass is thoroughly discussed in this review. Sensing the cell wall is crucial in many developmental and immunity responses and may occur through the perception of released damage‐associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) from pectin and other cell wall components.