Insights into pectin O-acetylation in the plant cell wall: structure, synthesis, and modification

Lubana Shahin; Liang Zhang; Debra Mohnen; Breeanna R Urbanowicz

doi:10.1016/j.tcsw.2023.100099

Insights into pectin O-acetylation in the plant cell wall: structure, synthesis, and modification

Cell Surf. 2023 Jan 25:9:100099. doi: 10.1016/j.tcsw.2023.100099. eCollection 2023 Dec.

Authors

Lubana Shahin^{1

2}, Liang Zhang^{1

2}, Debra Mohnen^{1

3

2}, Breeanna R Urbanowicz^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, University of Georgia, 315 Riverbend Road, Athens, GA 30602, USA.
² Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Georgia, 315 Riverbend Road, Athens, GA 30602, USA.
³ Department of Plant Biology, University of Georgia, 315 Riverbend Road, Athens, GA 30602, USA.

Abstract

O-Acetyl esterification is an important structural and functional feature of pectins present in the cell walls of all land plants. The amount and positions of pectin acetyl substituents varies across plant tissues and stages of development. Plant growth and response to biotic and abiotic stress are known to be significantly influenced by pectin O-acetylation. Gel formation is a key characteristic of pectins, and many studies have shown that gel formation is dependent upon the degree of acetylation. Previous studies have indicated that members of the TRICHOME BIREFRINGENCE-LIKE (TBL) family may play a role in the O-acetylation of pectin, however, biochemical evidence for acceptor specific pectin acetyltransferase activity remains to be confirmed and the exact mechanism(s) for catalysis must be determined. Pectin acetylesterases (PAEs) affect pectin acetylation as they hydrolyze acetylester bonds and have a role in the amount and distribution of O-acetylation. Several mutant studies suggest the critical role of pectin O-acetylation; however, additional research is required to fully understand this. This review aims to discuss the importance, role, and putative mechanism of pectin O-acetylation.

Keywords: AXY9, ALTERED XYLOGLUCAN 9; DA, degree of acetyl-esterification; DE, degree of esterification; DM, degree of methyl-esterification; GalA, galacturonic acid; HG, homogalacturonan; NMR, nuclear magnetic resonance; O-acetylation; O-acetyltransferase; PAEs, pectin acetylesterases; Pectin; Pectin acetylesterase; Plant cell wall; RG-I, rhamnogalacturonan-I; RWA, REDUCED WALL O-ACETYLATION; TBL, TRICHOME BIREFRINGENCE-LIKE; XGA, xylogalacturonan.

Publication types

Review