With a Little Help from My Cell Wall: Structural Modifications in Pectin May Play a Role to Overcome Both Dehydration Stress and Fungal Pathogens.

ABSTRACT: Cell wall structural modifications through pectin cross-linkages between calcium ions and/or boric acid may be key to mitigating dehydration stress and fungal pathogens. Water loss was profiled in a pure pectin system and in vivo. While calcium and boron reduced water loss in pure pectin standards, the impact on Allium species was insignificant (p > 0.05). Nevertheless, synchrotron X-ray microscopy showed the localization of exogenously applied calcium to the apoplast in the epidermal cells of Allium fistulosum. Exogenous calcium application increased viscosity and resistance to shear force in Allium fistulosum, suggesting the formation of calcium cross-linkages ("egg-box" structures). Moreover, Allium fistulosum (freezing tolerant) was also more tolerant to dehydration stress compared to

SUBMITTER: Forand AD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8838300 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature