Genome-wide analysis of the expansin gene superfamily reveals grapevine-specific structural and functional characteristics.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Expansins are proteins that loosen plant cell walls in a pH-dependent manner, probably by increasing the relative movement among polymers thus causing irreversible expansion. The expansin superfamily (EXP) comprises four distinct families: expansin A (EXPA), expansin B (EXPB), expansin-like A (EXLA) and expansin-like B (EXLB). There is experimental evidence that EXPA and EXPB proteins are required for cell expansion and developmental processes involving cell wall modification, whereas the exact functions of EXLA and EXLB remain unclear. The complete grapevine (Vitis vinifera) genome sequence has allowed the characterization of many gene families, but an exhaustive genome-wide analysis of expansin gene expression has not been attempted thus far.

Methodology/principal f

SUBMITTER: Dal Santo S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3628503 | biostudies-literature | 2013

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature