Carbohydrate-binding module of a rice endo-beta-1,4-glycanase, OsCel9A, expressed in auxin-induced lateral root primordia, is post-translationally truncated

Controlling diurnal flower-opening time by manipulating the jasmonate pathway accelerates development of indica-japonica hybrid rice breeding

Inter-subspecific indica-japonica hybrid rice (Oryza sativa) has the potential for increased yields over traditional indica intra-subspecies hybrid rice, but limited yield of F1 hybrid seed production (FHSP) hinders the development of indica-japonica hybrid rice breeding. Diurnal flower-opening time (DFOT) divergence between indica and japonica rice has been a major contributing factor to this issue, but few DFOT genes have been cloned. Here, we found that manipulating the expression of jasmonate (JA) pathway genes can effectively modulate DFOT to improve the yield of FHSP in rice. Treating japonica cultivar Zhonghua 11 (ZH11) with methyl jasmonate (MeJA) substantially advanced DFOT. Furthermore, overexpressing the JA biosynthesis gene OPDA REDUCTASE 7 (OsOPR7) and knocking out the JA inactivation gene CHILLING TOLERANCE 1 (OsHAN1) in ZH11 advanced DFOT by 1- and 2-h respectively; and knockout of the JA signal suppressor genes JASMONATE ZIM-DOMAIN PROTEIN 7 (OsJAZ7) and OsJAZ9 resulted in 50-min and 1.5-h earlier DFOT respectively. The yields of FHSP using japonica male-sterile lines GAZS with manipulated JA pathway genes were significantly higher than that of GAZS wildtype. Transcriptome analysis, cytological observations, measurements of elastic modulus and determination of cell wall components indicated that the JA pathway could affect the loosening of the lodicule cell walls by regulating their composition through controlling sugar metabolism, which in turn influences DFOT. This research has vital implications for breeding japonica rice cultivars with early DFOT to facilitate indica-japonica hybrid rice breeding.

Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis reveals important hub proteins and sub-network modules for root development in rice (Oryza sativa)

BACKGROUND

The root system is vital to plant growth and survival. Therefore, genetic improvement of the root system is beneficial for developing stress-tolerant and improved plant varieties. This requires the identification of proteins that significantly contribute to root development. Analyzing protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks is vastly beneficial in studying developmental phenotypes, such as root development, because a phenotype is an outcome of several interacting proteins. PPI networks can be analyzed to identify modules and get a global understanding of important proteins governing the phenotypes. PPI network analysis for root development in rice has not been performed before and has the potential to yield new findings to improve stress tolerance.

RESULTS

Here, the network module for root development was extracted from the global Oryza sativa PPI network retrieved from the STRING database. Novel protein candidates were predicted, and hub proteins and sub-modules were identified from the extracted module. The validation of the predictions yielded 75 novel candidate proteins, 6 sub-modules, 20 intramodular hubs, and 2 intermodular hubs.

CONCLUSIONS

These results show how the PPI network module is organized for root development and can be used for future wet-lab studies for producing improved rice varieties.

Transcriptome profiling of celery petiole tissues reveals peculiarities of the collenchyma cell wall formation

Transcriptome and biochemical analyses are applied to individual plant cell types to reveal potential players involved in the molecular machinery of cell wall formation in specialized cells such as collenchyma. Plant collenchyma is a mechanical tissue characterized by an irregular, thickened cell wall and the ability to support cell elongation. The composition of the collenchyma cell wall resembles that of the primary cell wall and includes cellulose, xyloglucan, and pectin; lignin is absent. Thus, the processes associated with the formation of the primary cell wall in the collenchyma can be more pronounced compared to other tissues due to its thickening. Primary cell walls intrinsic to different tissues may differ in structure and composition, which should be reflected at the transcriptomic level. For the first time, we conducted transcriptome profiling of collenchyma strands isolated from young celery petioles and compared them with other tissues, such as parenchyma and vascular bundles. Genes encoding proteins involved in the primary cell wall formation during cell elongation, such as xyloglucan endotransglucosylase/hydrolases, expansins, and leucine-rich repeat proteins, were significantly activated in the collenchyma. As the key players in the transcriptome orchestra of collenchyma, xyloglucan endotransglucosylase/hydrolase transcripts were characterized in more detail, including phylogeny and expression patterns. The comprehensive approach that included transcriptome and biochemical analyses allowed us to reveal peculiarities of collenchyma cell wall formation and modification, matching the abundance of upregulated transcripts and their potential substrates for revealed gene products. As a result, specific isoforms of multigene families were determined for further functional investigation.

Root responses of contrasting rice genotypes to low temperature stress

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) ssp. indica is the most cultivated species in the South of Brazil. However, these plants face low temperature stress from September to November, which is the period of early sowing, affecting plant development during the initial stages of growth, and reducing rice productivity. This study aimed to characterize the root response to low temperature stress during the early vegetative stage of two rice genotypes contrasting in their cold tolerance (CT, cold-tolerant; and CS, cold-sensitive). Root dry weight and length, as well as the number of root hairs, were higher in CT than CS when exposed to cold treatment. Histochemical analyses indicated that roots of CS genotype present higher levels of lipid peroxidation and H₂O₂ accumulation, along with lower levels of plasma membrane integrity than CT under low temperature stress. RNAseq analyses revealed that the contrasting genotypes present completely different molecular responses to cold stress. The number of over-represented functional categories was lower in CT than CS under cold condition, suggesting that CS genotype is more impacted by low temperature stress than CT. Several genes might contribute to rice cold tolerance, including the ones related with cell wall remodeling, cytoskeleton and growth, signaling, antioxidant system, lipid metabolism, and stress response. On the other hand, high expression of the genes SRC2 (defense), root architecture associated 1 (growth), ACC oxidase, ethylene-responsive transcription factor, and cytokinin-O-glucosyltransferase 2 (hormone-related) seems to be related with cold sensibility. Since these two genotypes have a similar genetic background (sister lines), the differentially expressed genes found here can be considered candidate genes for cold tolerance and could be used in future biotechnological approaches aiming to increase rice tolerance to low temperature.

Selenium downregulates auxin and ethylene biosynthesis in rice seedlings to modify primary metabolism and root architecture

Selenium modulates the formation of primary and lateral roots through alterations in auxin and ethylene, leading to new patterns of root architecture in rice seedlings. Selenium (Se) at low concentrations can control root growth through interaction with hormone biosynthesis. Auxin and ethylene have been shown to control the root architecture, with most of the information obtained from the eudicots such Arabidopsis and Nicotiana tabacum. Here, we presented the effects of Se on auxin and ethylene pathways and examined their impact on primary metabolism and root system architecture in rice (Oryza sativa L.) seedlings. Se treatment increased elongation of primary root, but decreased the number and length of lateral roots. Se led to decreased expression of genes associated with the biosynthesis of auxin and ethylene, concomitantly with reduced production of these hormones by the roots. Moreover, Se decreased the abundance of transcripts encoding auxin transport proteins. Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) treatment overrode the repressive effect of Se on lateral root growth. The ethylene synthesis inhibitor L-α-(2-aminoethoxyvinyl)-glycine (AVG) increased elongation of primary root, whereas the ethylene precursor 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) resulted in the opposite effect. Soluble sugars accumulate in roots of rice seedlings under Se treatment. Thus, Se modulates the formation of primary and lateral roots through alterations in auxin and ethylene, leading to new patterns of root architecture in rice seedlings.

Molecular Mechanisms of Root Development in Rice

Roots are fundamentally important for growth and development, anchoring the plant to its growth substrate, facilitating water and nutrient uptake from the soil, and sensing and responding to environmental signals such as biotic and abiotic stresses. Understanding the molecular mechanisms controlling root architecture is essential for improving nutrient uptake efficiency and crop yields. In this review, we describe the progress being made in the identification of genes and regulatory pathways involved in the development of root systems in rice (Oryza sativa L.), including crown roots, lateral roots, root hairs, and root length. Genes involved in the adaptation of roots to the environmental nutrient status are reviewed, and strategies for further study and agricultural applications are discussed. The growth and development of rice roots are controlled by both genetic factors and environmental cues. Plant hormones, especially auxin and cytokinin, play important roles in root growth and development. Understanding the molecular mechanisms regulating root architecture and response to environmental signals can contribute to the genetic improvement of crop root systems, enhancing their adaptation to stressful environmental conditions.

Origin, evolution, and divergence of plant class C GH9 endoglucanases

BACKGROUND

Glycoside hydrolases of the GH9 family encode cellulases that predominantly function as endoglucanases and have wide applications in the food, paper, pharmaceutical, and biofuel industries. The partitioning of plant GH9 endoglucanases, into classes A, B, and C, is based on the differential presence of transmembrane, signal peptide, and the carbohydrate binding module (CBM49). There is considerable debate on the distribution and the functions of these enzymes which may vary in different organisms. In light of these findings we examined the origin, emergence, and subsequent divergence of plant GH9 endoglucanases, with an emphasis on elucidating the role of CBM49 in the digestion of crystalline cellulose by class C members.

RESULTS

Since, the digestion of crystalline cellulose mandates the presence of a well-defined set of aromatic and polar amino acids and/or an attributable domain that can mediate this conversion, we hypothesize a vertical mode of transfer of genes that could favour the emergence of class C like GH9 endoglucanase activity in land plants from potentially ancestral non plant taxa. We demonstrated the concomitant occurrence of a GH9 domain with CBM49 and other homologous carbohydrate binding modules, in putative endoglucanase sequences from several non-plant taxa. In the absence of comparable full length CBMs, we have characterized several low strength patterns that could approximate the CBM49, thereby, extending support for digestion of crystalline cellulose to other segments of the protein. We also provide data suggestive of the ancestral role of putative class C GH9 endoglucanases in land plants, which includes detailed phylogenetics and the presence and subsequent loss of CBM49, transmembrane, and signal peptide regions in certain populations of early land plants. These findings suggest that classes A and B of modern vascular land plants may have emerged by diverging directly from CBM49 encompassing putative class C enzymes.

CONCLUSION

Our detailed phylogenetic and bioinformatics analysis of putative GH9 endoglucanase sequences across major taxa suggests that plant class C enzymes, despite their recent discovery, could function as the last common ancestor of classes A and B. Additionally, research into their ability to digest or inter-convert crystalline and amorphous forms of cellulose could make them lucrative candidates for engineering biofuel feedstock.

Transcriptome Analysis for Abnormal Spike Development of the Wheat Mutant dms

Background

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) spike development is the foundation for grain yield. We obtained a novel wheat mutant, dms, characterized as dwarf, multi-pistil and sterility. Although the genetic changes are not clear, the heredity of traits suggests that a recessive gene locus controls the two traits of multi-pistil and sterility in self-pollinating populations of the medium plants (M), such that the dwarf genotype (D) and tall genotype (T) in the progeny of the mutant are ideal lines for studies regarding wheat spike development. The objective of this study was to explore the molecular basis for spike abnormalities of dwarf genotype.

Results

Four unigene libraries were assembled by sequencing the mRNAs of the super-bulked differentiating spikes and stem tips of the D and T plants. Using integrative analysis, we identified 419 genes highly expressed in spikes, including nine typical homeotic genes of the MADS-box family and the genes TaAP2, TaFL and TaDL. We also identified 143 genes that were significantly different between young spikes of T and D, and 26 genes that were putatively involved in spike differentiation. The result showed that the expression levels of TaAP1-2, TaAP2, and other genes involved in the majority of biological processes such as transcription, translation, cell division, photosynthesis, carbohydrate transport and metabolism, and energy production and conversion were significantly lower in D than in T.

Conclusions

We identified a set of genes related to wheat floral organ differentiation, including typical homeotic genes. Our results showed that the major causal factors resulting in the spike abnormalities of dms were the lower expression homeotic genes, hormonal imbalance, repressed biological processes, and deficiency of construction materials and energy. We performed a series of studies on the homeotic genes, however the other three causal factors for spike abnormal phenotype of dms need further study.

Post-translational modifications of plant cell wall proteins and peptides: A survey from a proteomics point of view

Plant cell wall proteins (CWPs) and peptides are important players in cell walls contributing to their assembly and their remodeling during development and in response to environmental constraints. Since the rise of proteomics technologies at the beginning of the 2000's, the knowledge of CWPs has greatly increased leading to the discovery of new CWP families and to the description of the cell wall proteomes of different organs of many plants. Conversely, cell wall peptidomics data are still lacking. In addition to the identification of CWPs and peptides by mass spectrometry (MS) and bioinformatics, proteomics has allowed to describe their post-translational modifications (PTMs). At present, the best known PTMs consist in proteolytic cleavage, N-glycosylation, hydroxylation of P residues into hydroxyproline residues (O), O-glycosylation and glypiation. In this review, the methods allowing the capture of the modified proteins based on the specific properties of their PTMs as well as the MS technologies used for their characterization are briefly described. A focus is done on proteolytic cleavage leading to protein maturation or release of signaling peptides and on O-glycosylation. Some new technologies, like top-down proteomics and terminomics, are described. They aim at a finer description of proteoforms resulting from PTMs or degradation mechanisms. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Plant Proteomics--a bridge between fundamental processes and crop production, edited by Dr. Hans-Peter Mock.

In silico Identification and Taxonomic Distribution of Plant Class C GH9 Endoglucanases

The glycoside hydrolase 9 superfamily, mainly comprising the endoglucanases, is represented in all three domains of life. The current division of GH9 enzymes, into three subclasses, namely A, B, and C, is centered on parameters derived from sequence information alone. However, this classification is ambiguous, and is limited by the paralogous ancestry of classes B and C endoglucanases, and paucity of biochemical and structural data. Here, we extend this classification schema to putative GH9 endoglucanases present in green plants, with an emphasis on identifying novel members of the class C subset. These enzymes cleave the β(1 → 4) linkage between non-terminal adjacent D-glucopyranose residues, in both, amorphous and crystalline regions of cellulose. We utilized non redundant plant GH9 enzymes with characterized molecular data, as the training set to construct Hidden Markov Models (HMMs) and train an Artificial Neural Network (ANN). The parameters that were used for predicting dominant enzyme function, were derived from this training set, and subsequently refined on 147 sequences with available expression data. Our knowledge-based approach, can ascribe differential endoglucanase activity (A, B, or C) to a query sequence with high confidence, and was used to construct a local repository of class C GH9 endoglucanases (GH9C = 241) from 32 sequenced green plants.

Endo-β-1,4-glucanases impact plant cell wall development by influencing cellulose crystallization

Cell walls are vital to the normal growth and development of plants as they protect the protoplast and provide rigidity to the stem. Here, two poplar and Arabidopsis orthologous endoglucanases, which have been proposed to play a role in secondary cell wall development, were examined. The class B endoglucanases, PtGH9B5 and AtGH9B5, are secreted enzymes that have a predicted glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor, while the class C endoglucanases, PtGH9C2 and AtGH9C2, are also predicted to be secreted but instead contain a carbohydrate-binding module. The poplar endoglucanases were expressed in Arabidopsis using both a 35S promoter and the Arabidopsis secondary cell wall-specific CesA8 promoter. Additionally, Arabidopsis t-DNA insertion lines and an RNAi construct was created to downregulate AtGH9C2 in Arabidopsis. All of the plant lines were examined for changes in cell morphology and patterning, growth and development, cell wall crystallinity, microfibril angle, and proportion of cell wall carbohydrates. Misregulation of PtGH9B5/AtGH9B5 resulted in changes in xylose content, while misregulation of PtGH9C2/AtGH9C2 resulted in changes in crystallinity, which was inversely correlated with changes in plant height and rosette diameter. Together, these results suggest that these endoglucanases affect secondary cell wall development by contributing to the cell wall crystallization process.

HDG11 upregulates cell-wall-loosening protein genes to promote root elongation in Arabidopsis

The gain-of-function mutant edt1 shows significantly enhanced drought tolerance and a well-developed root system including deeper primary roots and more lateral roots. To explore the molecular mechanisms underlying the improved root system of edt1, we performed transcriptome comparison between the wild-type and edt1 roots. One of the interesting findings from the analysis was that several gene families of cell-wall-loosening proteins were upregulated in the mutant roots, including expansins, extensins, xyloglucan endotransglucosylase/hydrolases (XTHs), pectin-related enzymes, and cellulases. Most of these genes contain HD-binding cis-elements in their promoters predominantly with the TTTAATTT sequence, which can be bound by HDG11 in vitro and in vivo. The coordinated expression of these gene families overlaps fast root elongation. Furthermore, overexpression of AtEXPA5, which was dramatically upregulated in edt1, resulted in longer primary roots because cells were more extended longitudinally. When combined by crossing the AtEXPA5-overexpression lines with one pectin methylesterase inhibitor family protein (PMEI) gene (At5g62360)- or one cellulase (CEL) gene (At2g32990)-overexpression lines, the primary roots of the progeny even exceeded both parents in length. Our results demonstrate that HDG11 directly upregulates cell-wall-loosening protein genes, which is correlated with altered root system architecture, and confirm that cell-wall-loosening proteins play important roles in coordinating cell-wall extensibility with root development. The results of transgene experiments showed that expansin works together with PMEI and CEL to generate synergistic effects on primary root elongation, suggesting that different cell-wall-loosening protein families may function in combination to generate optimal effects on root extensibility.

The jiaoyao1 Mutant Is an Allele of korrigan1 That Abolishes Endoglucanase Activity and Affects the Organization of Both Cellulose Microfibrils and Microtubules in Arabidopsis

In higher plants, cellulose is synthesized by plasma membrane-localized cellulose synthase complexes (CSCs). Arabidopsis thaliana GH9A1/KORRIGAN1 is a membrane-bound, family 9 glycosyl hydrolase that is important for cellulose synthesis in both primary and secondary cell walls. Most previously identified korrigan1 mutants show severe phenotypes such as embryo lethality; therefore, the role of GH9A1 in cellulose synthesis remains unclear. Here, we report a novel A577V missense mutation, designated jiaoyao1 (jia1), in the second of the glycosyl hydrolase family 9 active site signature motifs in GH9A1. jia1 is defective in cell expansion in dark-grown hypocotyls, roots, and adult plants. Consistent with its defect in cell expansion, this mutation in GH9A1 resulted in reduced cellulose content and reduced CSC velocity at the plasma membrane. Green fluorescent protein-GH9A1 is associated with CSCs at multiple locations, including the plasma membrane, Golgi, trans-Golgi network, and small CESA-containing compartments or microtubule-associated cellulose synthase compartments, indicating a tight association between GH9A1 and CSCs. GH9A1^A577V abolishes the endoglucanase activity of GH9A1 in vitro but does not affect its interaction with CESAs in vitro, suggesting that endoglucanase activity is important for cellulose synthesis. Interestingly, jia1 results in both cellulose microfibril and microtubule disorganization. Our study establishes the important role of endoglucanase in cellulose synthesis and cellulose microfibril organization in plants.

MULTIPASS, a rice R2R3-type MYB transcription factor, regulates adaptive growth by integrating multiple hormonal pathways

Growth regulation is an important aspect of plant adaptation during environmental perturbations. Here, the role of MULTIPASS (OsMPS), an R2R3-type MYB transcription factor of rice, was explored. OsMPS is induced by salt stress and expressed in vegetative and reproductive tissues. Over-expression of OsMPS reduces growth under non-stress conditions, while knockdown plants display increased biomass. OsMPS expression is induced by abscisic acid and cytokinin, but is repressed by auxin, gibberellin and brassinolide. Growth retardation caused by OsMPS over-expression is partially restored by auxin application. Expression profiling revealed that OsMPS negatively regulates the expression of EXPANSIN (EXP) and cell-wall biosynthesis as well as phytohormone signaling genes. Furthermore, the expression of OsMPS-dependent genes is regulated by auxin, cytokinin and abscisic acid. Moreover, we show that OsMPS is a direct upstream regulator of OsEXPA4, OsEXPA8, OsEXPB2, OsEXPB3, OsEXPB6 and the endoglucanase genes OsGLU5 and OsGLU14. The multiple responses of OsMPS and its target genes to various hormones suggest an integrative function of OsMPS in the cross-talk between phytohormones and the environment to regulate adaptive growth.

The carbohydrate-binding module of Fragaria × ananassa expansin 2 (CBM-FaExp2) binds to cell wall polysaccharides and decreases cell wall enzyme activities "in vitro"

A putative carbohydrate binding module (CBM) from strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) expansin 2 (CBM-FaExp2) was cloned and the encoding protein was over-expressed in Escherichia coli and purified in order to evaluate its capacity to bind different cell wall polysaccharides "in vitro". The protein CBM-FaExp2 bound to microcrystalline cellulose, xylan and pectin with different affinities (K(ad) = 33.6 ± 0.44 mL g(-1), K(ad) = 11.37 ± 0.87 mL g(-1), K(ad) = 10.4 ± 0.19 mL g(-1), respectively). According to "in vitro" enzyme assays, this CBM is able to decrease the activity of cell wall degrading enzymes such as polygalacturonase, endo-glucanase, pectinase and xylanase, probably because the binding of CBM-FaExp2 to the different substrates interferes with enzyme activity. The results suggest that expansins would bind not only cellulose but also a wide range of cell wall polymers.

The proteome of Populus nigra woody root: response to bending

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Morphological and biomechanical alterations occurring in woody roots of many plant species in response to mechanical stresses are well documented; however, little is known about the molecular mechanisms regulating these important alterations. The first forest tree genome to be decoded is that of Populus, thereby providing a tool with which to investigate the mechanisms controlling adaptation of woody roots to changing environments. The aim of this study was to use a proteomic approach to investigate the response of Populus nigra woody taproot to mechanical stress.

METHODS

To simulate mechanical perturbations, the taproots of 30 one-year-old seedlings were bent to an angle of 90 ° using a steel net. A spatial and temporal two-dimensional proteome map of the taproot axis was obtained. We compared the events occurring in the above-bending, central bending and below-bending sectors of the taproot.

KEY RESULTS

The first poplar woody taproot proteome map is reported here; a total of 207 proteins were identified. Spatial and temporal proteomic analysis revealed that factors involved in plant defence, metabolism, reaction wood formation and lateral root development were differentially expressed in the various sectors of bent vs. control roots, seemingly in relation to the distribution of mechanical forces along the stressed woody taproots. A complex interplay among different signal transduction pathways involving reactive oxygen species appears to modulate these responses.

CONCLUSIONS

Poplar woody root uses different temporal and spatial mechanisms to respond to mechanical stress. Long-term bending treatment seem to reinforce the defence machinery, thereby enabling the taproot to better overcome winter and to be ready to resume growth earlier than controls.

A leucine-rich repeat receptor-like kinase gene is involved in the specification of outer cell layers in rice roots

Root outer cell layers of Oryza sativa (rice), which comprise the epidermis, exodermis and sclerenchyma, play an important role in protecting the roots from various stresses in soil, but the molecular mechanisms for the specification of these cell layers are poorly understood. In this work, we report on defective in outer cell layer specification 1 (Docs1), which is involved in the specification of outer cell layers in rice roots. Docs1 was isolated by map-based cloning using a mutant (c68) defective in the outer cell layers of primary roots. It encodes a leucine-rich repeat receptor-like kinase (LRR RLK). Docs1 mRNA was expressed in all tissues including roots, leaf blades and sheaths, and flowers. Immunostaining with an anti-Docs1 antibody showed that Docs1 was localized at the epidermis and exodermis, depending on the root region. Furthermore, Docs1 showed polar localization at the distal side. Subcellular examination showed that Docs1 was localized to the plasma membrane. Comparison of genome-wide transcriptional profiles between the wild-type and the knock-out mutant roots using microarray analysis showed that 61 and 41 genes were up- and downregulated in the mutant, including genes encoding putative transcription factors and genes potentially involved in cell wall metabolism. These results suggest that Docs1 might directly or indirectly regulate multiple genes involved in the proper development of root outer cell layers in rice.

A Rice Family 9 Glycoside Hydrolase Isozyme with Broad Substrate Specificity for Hemicelluloses in Type II Cell Walls

An auxin analog, 2,4-D, stimulates the activity of endo-1,4-beta-glucanase (EGase) in rice (Oryza sativa L.). The auxin-induced activity from three protein fractions was purified to homogeneity from primary root tissues (based on SDS-PAGE and isoelectric focusing after Coomassie brilliant blue staining). Amino acid sequencing indicated that the 20 N-terminal amino acid sequence of the three proteins was identical, suggesting that these proteins may be cognates of one EGase gene. An internal amino acid sequence of the the rice EGase (LVGGYYDAGDNVK) revealed that this enzyme belongs to glycosyl hydrolase family 9 (GHF9). The major isoform of this rice GHF9 [molecular weight based on matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS): 51,216, isoelectric point (pI): 5.5] specifically hydrolyzed 1,4-beta-glycosyl linkages of carboxymethyl (CM)-cellulose, phosphoric acid-swollen cellulose, 1,3-1,4-beta-glucan, arabinoxylan, xylan, glucomannan, cellooligosaccharides [with a degree of polymerization (DP) >3] and 1,4-beta-xylohexaose, indicating a broader substrate range compared with those of other characterized GHF9 enzymes or EGases from higher plants. Hydrolytic products of two major hemicellulosic polysaccharides in type II cell walls treated with the purified enzyme were profiled using high-performance anion exchange chromatography (HPAEC). The results suggested that endolytic attack by rice EGase is not restricted to either the cellulose-like domain of 1,3-1,4-beta-glucan or the unsubstituted 1,4-beta-xylosyl backbone of arabinoxylan, but results in the release of smaller oligosaccharides (DP <6) from graminaceous hemicelluloses. The comparatively broader substrate range of this EGase with respect to beta-1,4-glycan backbones (glucose and xylose) may partly reflect different roles of gramineous and non-gramineous GHF9 enzymes.