Plant cell primary glycoproteins

The plant cell wall contains different types of polysaccharides, proteins (structural glycoproteins and enzymes), lignin and water, as well as some inorganic components (1, 14-16). The plant cell suspensions, however, grow as a population of cells with a primary cell wall(17). The main components of these walls are cellulose-free polysaccharides and pectic polysaccharides in particular, which constitute 1/3 of their dry weight. (18). Some fragments, e g. methanol, acetic, ferulic and p-cumaric acids, are connected with the pectic polysaccharides by ester bonds with the carboxylic and hydroxylic groups. 

The components of the plant cell wall (8-21) are the middle lamella (intercellular substance), the primary wall, and the secondary wall. The middle lamella is the pectic layer between cells and holds adjoining cells together as do membrane carbohydrates. The primary wall is thin (1-3 pm) and flexible containing cellulose, hemicelluloses, pectins, and glycoproteins. This wall provides mechanical strength, maintains cell shape,... 

The plant cell wall biology studies require more sensitive and specific probes to target individual wall components. Traditionally, antibodies have been the primary workhorses for the spatial localization of cell wall polysaccharides. Currently, nearly 30 monoclonal antibodies directed toward specific arabinan, galactan, xylan, galacturonan, fucosylated xyloglucan, and cell wall glycoprotein epitopes are available, from academic and commercial sources [172], Nevertheless, CBMs may be used for this purpose, since they present intrinsic specificity for individual carbohydrates. 

The primary cell-wall of plants is formed by microfibrils of cellulose in a complex matrix of polysaccharides, proteins, and glycoproteins. The structure and relationship of the different components is under continuous study and revision, and most of them can now be identified and their biosynthesis studied.124"126... 

The general structure of the primary cell walls of plants has been envisioned for many years to be composed of cellulose fibers embedded in an amorphous mixture of polysaccharides and glycoproteins. Although this picture of primary walls appears to be accurate, it obviously lacks considerable detail. A more detailed description of the primary cell wall will eventually include the following ... 

---