Seed Cell Wall Storage Polysaccharides: Models to Understand Cell Wall Biosynthesis and Degradation

Author(s)

Buckeridge, Marcos Silveira ^{[1, 2]}

Affiliation

^[1] Natl Ctr Res Energy & Mat, Brazilian Bioethanol Sci & Technol Lab, BR-13083970 Campinas, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Dept Bot, BR-05422970 Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Plant Physiology; v. 154, n. 3, p. 1017-1023, NOV 2010.
• Web of Science Citations: 86

Abstract

Cell wall storage polysaccharides (CWSPs) are found as the principal storage compounds in seeds of many taxonomically important groups of plants. These groups developed extremely efficient biochemical mechanisms to disassemble cell walls and use the products of hydrolysis for growth. To accumulate these storage polymers, developing seeds also contain relatively high activities of noncellulosic polysaccharide synthases and thus are interesting models to seek the discovery of genes and enzymes related to polysaccharide biosynthesis. CWSP systems offer opportunities to understand phenomena ranging from polysaccharide deposition during seed maturation to the control of source-sink relationship in developing seedlings. By studying polysaccharide biosynthesis and degradation and the consequences for cell and physiological behavior, we can use these models to develop future biotechnological applications. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 98/05124-8 - Conservation and sustainable use of the plant biodiversity from the cerrado and Atlantic Forest: the storage of carbohydrates and their role on the adaptation and maintainance of plants in their natural environment
• Grantee: Marcos Silveira Buckeridge
• Support Opportunities: BIOTA-FAPESP Program - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 07/59708-1 - Physiological and biochemical responses of three species of tropical legumes to climatic change
• Grantee: Marcos Silveira Buckeridge
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants