Enzymes and other agents that enhance cell wall extensibility

Endo-1,3;1,4-beta-glucanase from coleoptiles of rice and maize: role in the regulation of plant growth

The Matrix Polymer Hydrolysis Model for regulation of growth in plants is based on the simultaneous hydrolysis and incorporation of new glucans into the cell wall observed in growing plant tissues. The inhibition of growth in rice coleoptile tissues treated with glucanase antibodies confirms similar results observed previously in maize coleoptiles and provides direct evidence for a role of glucanase in control of plant growth. Analysis of two-maize coleoptile endo-glucanase ESTs shows that these sequences are not related to any other previously known family of glycosyl hydrolase. Thus, the coleoptile endo-glucanase enzyme should be classified as a new enzyme group (E.C. 3.2.1.xx). These discoveries enable new initiatives for further investigation of the glucanase role in control of plant growth.

New genes and new biological roles for expansins

Expansins are extracellular proteins that loosen plant cell walls in novel ways. They are thought to function in cell enlargement, pollen tube invasion of the stigma (in grasses), wall disassembly during fruit ripening, abscission and other cell separation events. Expansins are encoded by two multigene families and each gene is often expressed in highly specific locations and cell types. Structural analysis indicates that one expansin region resembles the catalytic domain of family-45 endoglucanases but glucanase activity has not been detected. The genome projects have revealed numerous expansin-related sequences but their putative wall-loosening functions remain to be assessed.

Expansive growth of plant cell walls

The enlargement of plant cell walls is a key determinant of plant morphogenesis. Current models of the cell wall are reviewed with respect to their ability to account for the mechanism of cell wall enlargement. The concept of primary and secondary wall loosening agents is presented, and the possible roles of expansins, xyloglucan endotransglycosylase, endo-1,4-beta-D-glucanase, and wall synthesis in the process of cell wall enlargement are reviewed and critically evaluated. Experimental results indicate that cell wall enlargement may be regulated at many levels.