Cell wall hydrolases act in concert during aerenchyma development in sugarcane roots

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Grandis, Adriana ; Leite, Debora C. C. ; Tavares, Eveline Q. P. ; Arenque-Musa, Bruna C. ; Gaiarsa, Jonas W. ; Martins, Marina C. M. ; De Souza, Amanda P. ; Gomez, Leonardo D. ; Fabbri, Claudia ; Mattei, Benedetta ; Buckeridge, Marcos S.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: ANNALS OF BOTANY; v. 124, n. 6, p. 23-pg., 2019-11-04.

Abstract

Background and Aims Cell wall disassembly occurs naturally in plants by the action of several glycosyl-hydrolases during different developmental processes such as lysigenous and constitutive aerenchyma formation in sugarcane roots. Wall degradation has been reported in aerenchyma development in different species, but little is known about the action of glycosyl-hydrolases in this process. Methods In this work, gene expression, protein levels and enzymatic activity of cell wall hydrolases were assessed. Since aerenchyma formation is constitutive in sugarcane roots, they were assessed in segments corresponding to the first 5 cm from the root tip where aerenchyma develops. Key Results Our results indicate that the wall degradation starts with a partial attack on pectins (by acetyl esterases, endopolygalacturonases, beta-galactosidases and alpha-arabinofuranosidases) followed by the action of beta-glucan-/callose-hydrolysing enzymes. At the same time, there are modifications in arabinoxylan (by alpha-arabinofuranosidases), xyloglucan (by XTH), xyloglucan-cellulose interactions (by expansins) and partial hydrolysis of cellulose. Saccharification revealed that access to the cell wall varies among segments, consistent with an increase in recalcitrance and composite formation during aerenchyma development. Conclusion Our findings corroborate the hypothesis that hydrolases are synchronically synthesized, leading to cell wall modifications that are modulated by the fine structure of cell wall polymers during aerenchyma formation in the cortex of sugarcane roots. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 09/52840-7 - Center of Biological and Industrial Processes for Biofuels - CeProBIO
• Grantee: Igor Polikarpov
• Support Opportunities: Program for Research on Bioenergy (BIOEN) - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 10/17104-5 - Cell wall degradation in sugarcane roots
• Grantee: Marcos Silveira Buckeridge
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 08/57908-6 - National Institute of Science and Technology of Bioethanol
• Grantee: Marcos Silveira Buckeridge
• Support Opportunities: Program for Research on Bioenergy (BIOEN) - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 14/50884-5 - INCT 2014: National Institute of Science and Technology of Bioethanol
• Grantee: Marcos Silveira Buckeridge
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 10/17070-3 - DETERMINATION OF ENZYME DEGRADATION OF CELL WALL DURING FORMATION IN AERENCHYMA ROOTS OF SUGARCANE
• Grantee: Adriana Grandis
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate