Localization of beta-glucan synthases on the membranes of cultured Lolium multiflorum (ryegrass) endosperm cells

Hemicelluloses

Hemicelluloses are polysaccharides in plant cell walls that have beta-(1-->4)-linked backbones with an equatorial configuration. Hemicelluloses include xyloglucans, xylans, mannans and glucomannans, and beta-(1-->3,1-->4)-glucans. These types of hemicelluloses are present in the cell walls of all terrestrial plants, except for beta-(1-->3,1-->4)-glucans, which are restricted to Poales and a few other groups. The detailed structure of the hemicelluloses and their abundance vary widely between different species and cell types. The most important biological role of hemicelluloses is their contribution to strengthening the cell wall by interaction with cellulose and, in some walls, with lignin. These features are discussed in relation to widely accepted models of the primary wall. Hemicelluloses are synthesized by glycosyltransferases located in the Golgi membranes. Many glycosyltransferases needed for biosynthesis of xyloglucans and mannans are known. In contrast, the biosynthesis of xylans and beta-(1-->3,1-->4)-glucans remains very elusive, and recent studies have led to more questions than answers.

A barley cellulose synthase-like CSLH gene mediates (1,3;1,4)-beta-D-glucan synthesis in transgenic Arabidopsis

The walls of grasses and related members of the Poales are characterized by the presence of the polysaccharide (1,3, 1,4)-beta-D-glucan (beta-glucan). To date, only members of the grass-specific cellulose synthase-like F (CSLF) gene family have been implicated in its synthesis. Assuming that other grass-specific CSL genes also might encode synthases for this polysaccharide, we cloned HvCSLH1, a CSLH gene from barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), and expressed an epitope-tagged version of the cDNA in Arabidopsis, a species with no CSLH genes and no beta-glucan in its walls. Transgenic Arabidopsis lines that had detectable amounts of the epitope-tagged HvCSLH1 protein accumulated beta-glucan in their walls. The presence of beta-glucan was confirmed by immunoelectron microscopy (immuno-EM) of sectioned tissues and chemical analysis of wall extracts. In the chemical analysis, characteristic tri- and tetra-saccharides were identified by high-performance anion-exchange chromatography and MALDI-TOF MS following their release from transgenic Arabidopsis walls by a specific beta-glucan hydrolase. Immuno-EM also was used to show that the epitope-tagged HvCSLH1 protein was in the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi-associated vesicles, but not in the plasma membrane. In barley, HvCSLH1 was expressed at very low levels in leaf, floral tissues, and the developing grain. In leaf, expression was highest in xylem and interfascicular fiber cells that have walls with secondary thickenings containing beta-glucan. Thus both the CSLH and CSLF families contribute to beta-glucan synthesis in grasses and probably do so independently of each other, because there is no significant transcriptional correlation between these genes in the barley tissues surveyed.

[beta]-Glucan Synthesis in the Cotton Fiber (II. Regulation and Kinetic Properties of [beta]-Glucan Synthases

The regulation and kinetic properties of cellulose synthase as well as [beta]-1,3-glucan synthase have been studied. The cellulose was detected using acetic/nitric acid insolubility as an indicator of cellulose (this product contained only [beta]-1,4-linked glucans; K. Okuda, L. Li, K. Kudlicka, S. Kuga, R.M. Brown, Jr. [1993] Plant Physiol 101: 1131-1142). These studies reveal that (a) [beta]-1,3-glucan synthesis is enhanced up to 31-fold by cellobiose with a Ka of 1.16 mM; (b) cellulose synthesis is increased 12-fold by a combination of cellobiose (Ka = 3.26 mM) and cyclic-3[prime]:5[prime]-GMP (Ka = 100 [mu]M); (c) the common components in the reaction mixture required by both enzymes are cellobiose, calcium, and digitonin; (d) cellulose synthase has an essential requirement for magnesium (Ka = 0.89 mM); (e) cellulose synthase also requires a low concentration of calcium (Ka = 90 [mu]M); (f) the optimal pH for cellulose synthase (7.6-8.0) is slightly higher than that for [beta]-1,3-glucan synthase (7.2-7.6); (g) the Km for UGP-Glc for cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) cellulose synthase is 0.40 mM; (h) the Km for UDP-Glc for for [beta]-1,3-glucan synthase is 0.43 mM.

UDP-Glucose: (1,3)-beta-Glucan Synthase from Daucus carota L. : Characterization, Photoaffinity Labeling, and Solubilization

The membrane-bound UDP-glucose-beta-(1,3)-glucan synthase from Daucus carota L. was characterized and a solubilization procedure was developed. The enzyme exhibited maximal activity in the presence of 0.75 millimolar Ca(2+), 0.5 millimolar EGTA, and 5 millimolar cellobiose at pH 7.5 and 30 degrees C at 1 millimolar UDPG. Reaction products were confirmed to be (1,3)-linked glucan. Polypeptides of 150, 57, and 43 kilodaltons were labeled with the photoactivatible affinity label 5-azido-uridine 5'-beta-[(32)P] diphosphateglucose. Labeling of the 150 and 57 kilodalton polypeptides was completely protected against by 1 millimolar non-radioactive UDPG suggesting that one or both of these polypeptides may represent the UDPG binding subunit of glucan synthase. Carrot glucan synthase was solubilized with the detergent 3-[(3-cholamidopropyl)dimethylammonio]-1-propane sulfonate (CHAPS) in the absence of divalent cations and chelators; however, the percentage of enzyme which could be solubilized showed variability with membrane source. With microsomal membranes, up to 80% of the enzyme was released with 0.7% CHAPS. Solubilized enzyme was stable for at least 9 hours at 4 degrees C. When more highly purified membrane fractions were isolated from sucrose step gradients a slightly different picture emerged. Activity from the 20/30% interface (Golgi and tonoplast enriched) was readily solubilized and expressed. Activity from the 30/40% interface (plasma membrane enriched) was also solubilized; however, it was necessary to add heat inactivated microsomes to assay mixtures for full activity to be expressed. A requirement for endogenous activators is suggested.

Localization, solubilization and characterization of plant membrane-associated calcium-dependent protein kinases

Membrane fractions from mature silver beet (Beta vulgaris) deveined leaf and leaf stem homogenates have associated Ca(2+) -dependent protein kinase. The Ca(2+) -dependent protein kinase activity is associated with plasma membranes (density 1.14-1.18 grams per cubic centimeter) as determined from copurification on isopycnic centrifugation with plasma membrane markers such as beta-glucan synthetase, eosin-5-maleimidelabeling, and specific naphthylphthalamic acid-binding. The Ca(2+) -dependent protein kinase is not specifically associated with chloroplasts or mitochondria. The membrane-bound Ca(2+) -dependent protein kinases were solubilized with 0.8% (volume/volume) Nonidet P40. The solubilized enzymes were extensively purified by a protocol involving binding to diethylaminoethyl-cellulose (Whatman DE-52), Ca(2+) -dependent binding to phenyl-Sepharose CL-4B, gradient elution from diethylaminoethyl-Sephacel (resolving two distinct Ca(2+) -dependent protein kinases), and gel filtration on Ultrogel AcA 44. These two membrane-derived enzymes have similar molecular weights but differ in protein substrate specificity, in K(m) values for ATP, and in Ca(2+) -independent activation by unsaturated fatty acids. The membrane-bound enzymes correspond closely in these properties to two Ca(2+) -dependent protein kinases present in the soluble phase.

Cell-fractionation analysis of glucan synthase I and II distribution and polysaccharide secretion in soybean protoplasts : Evidence for the involvement of coated vesicles in wall biogenesis

The organelles of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) protoplasts were separated using a recently developed procedure which allows rapid (3-h) recovery of a fraction enriched for coated vesicles (CVs). As determined by marker-enzyme enrichment and ultrastructural analysis of isolated membrane fractions, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi membranes, glucan-synthase-II (EC 2.4.1.34)-containing membranes (putative plasma membrane), mitochondria, and CVs were enriched in separate fractions in a sucrose density gradient. Glucan synthase I (EC 2.4.1.12) had the highest specific activity in the Golgi-enriched and CV-enriched fractions and was found to comigrate with CVs upon rate-zonal centrifugation of a CV-enriched fraction. For further elucidation of the role of these latter organelles in cell-wall regeneration, freshly isolated protoplasts were pulsed with [(3)H]glucose for 20 min, and the disappearance of label from the organelles was followed for the ensuing 1 h. Although a CV-enriched fraction contained glucan synthase I, it contained very small amounts of labelled polysaccharide during the period of study. Pulse-chase experiments with [(3)H]glucose helped to confirm the role of the Golgi apparatus in secretion of matrix polysaccharides by protoplasts.

Biosynthesis of arabinogalactan-protein in Lolium multiflorum (Italian ryegrass) endosperm cells. Subcellular distribution of galactosyltransferases

Intracellular membranes from protoplasts of Italian-ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) endosperm cells have been fractionated on sucrose density gradients and identified on the basis of putative-marker-enzyme assays. Galactosyltransferases capable of incorporating galactose from UDP galactose into 66% ethanol-soluble products are associated with all membrane fractions. Affinity chromatography of the ethanol-insoluble products on (murine myeloma protein J539)-Sepharose reveals that the enzymes responsible for the synthesis of polymers containing (1----6)-beta-D-galactose residues are associated exclusively with subcellular fractions enriched in Golgi-derived membranes. This suggests that the Golgi apparatus plays an important part in the synthesis of the carbohydrate component of the ryegrass arabinogalactan-protein.

Biosynthesis of Arabinogalactan-Protein in Lolium multiflorum (Ryegrass) Endosperm Cells : III. Subcellular Distribution of Prolyl Hydroxylase

The peptidyl prolyl hydroxylase responsible for the formation of hydroxyproline during arabinogalactan-protein biosynthesis in Lolium multiflorum (ryegrass) endosperm cells is a membrane-associated enzyme which will catalyze the hydroxylation of poly(l-proline) in the presence of oxygen, alpha-ketoglutarate, ferrous ion, and ascorbate. The K(m) for poly(l-proline) (8000 molecular weight) is 40 micromolar. The enzyme will also hydroxylate the protocollagen analog (Pro-Pro-Gly)(5).4H(2)O.Fractionation of membranes from protoplast lysates on a discontinuous sucrose/sorbitol density gradient, followed by centrifugation on a linear sucrose gradient in the presence of Mg(2+), leads to a clear separation of a number of membrane components. The membrane components have been tentatively identified using marker enzymes and assayed for peptidyl prolyl hydroxylase. It is concluded that the ryegrass prolyl hydroxylase is enriched in Golgi-derived membranes, but that significant amounts are also located in other subcellular fractions, including the rough endoplasmic reticulum.