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Adventitious root (AR) formation is one of the most important developmental processes in vegetative propagation. Although genotypic differences in rose rooting ability are well known, the causal factors are not well understood. The rooting of two contrasting genotypes, 'Herzogin Friederike' and 'Mariatheresia', was compared following a multiscale approach. Using magnetic resonance imaging, we non-invasively monitored the inner structure of stem cuttings during initiation and progression of AR formation for the first time. Spatially resolved Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy characterized the chemical composition of the tissues involved in AR formation. The results were validated through light microscopy and complemented by immunolabelling. The outcome demonstrated similarity of both genotypes in root primordia formation, which did not result in root protrusion through the shoot cortex in the difficult-to-root genotype 'Mariatheresia'. The biochemical composition of the contrasting genotypes highlighted main differences in cell wall-associated components. Further spectroscopic analysis of 15 contrasting rose genotypes confirmed the biochemical differences between easy- and difficult-to-root groups. Collectively, our data indicate that it is not the lack of root primordia limiting AR formation in these rose genotypes, but the firmness of the outer stem tissue and/or cell wall modifications that pose a mechanical barrier and prevent root extension and protrusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Komagataella phaffii (Pichia pastoris) has emerged as a common and robust biotechnological platform organism, to produce recombinant proteins and other bioproducts of commercial interest. Key advantage of K. phaffii is the secretion of recombinant proteins, coupled with a low host protein secretion. This facilitates downstream processing, resulting in high purity of the target protein. However, a significant but often overlooked aspect is the presence of an unknown polysaccharide impurity in the supernatant. Surprisingly, this impurity has received limited attention in the literature, and its presence and quantification are rarely addressed. Results This study aims to quantify this exopolysaccharide in high cell density recombinant protein production processes and identify its origin. In stirred tank fed-batch fermentations with a maximal cell dry weight of 155 g/L, the polysaccharide concentration in the supernatant can reach up to 8.7 g/L. This level is similar to the achievable target protein concentration. Importantly, the results demonstrate that exopolysaccharide production is independent of the substrate and the protein production process itself. Instead, it is directly correlated with biomass formation and proportional to cell dry weight. Cell lysis can confidently be ruled out as the source of this exopolysaccharide in the culture medium. Furthermore, the polysaccharide secretion can be linked to a mutation in the HOC1 gene, featured by all derivatives of strain NRRL Y-11430, leading to a characteristic thinner cell wall. Conclusions This research sheds light on a previously disregarded aspect of K. phaffii fermentations, emphasizing the importance of monitoring and addressing the exopolysaccharide impurity in biotechnological applications, independent of the recombinant protein produced.

Background: Komagataella phaffii (Pichia pastoris) has emerged as a common and robust biotechnological platform organism, to produce recombinant proteins and other bioproducts of commercial interest. Key advantage of K. phaffii is the secretion of recombinant proteins, coupled with a low host protein secretion. This facilitates downstream processing, resulting in high purity of the target protein. However, a significant but often overlooked aspect is the presence of an unknown polysaccharide impurity in the supernatant. Surprisingly, this impurity has received limited attention in the literature, and its presence and quantification are rarely addressed. Results: This study aims to quantify this exopolysaccharide in high cell density recombinant protein production processes and identify its origin. In stirred tank fed-batch fermentations with a maximal cell dry weight of 155 g/L, the polysaccharide concentration in the supernatant can reach up to 8.7 g/L. This level is similar to the achievable target protein concentration. Importantly, the results demonstrate that exopolysaccharide production is independent of the substrate and the protein production process itself. Instead, it is directly correlated with biomass formation and proportional to cell dry weight. Cell lysis can confidently be ruled out as the source of this exopolysaccharide in the culture medium. Furthermore, the polysaccharide secretion can be linked to a mutation in the HOC1 gene, featured by all derivatives of strain NRRL Y-11430, leading to a characteristic thinner cell wall. Conclusions: This research sheds light on a previously disregarded aspect of K. phaffii fermentations, emphasizing the importance of monitoring and addressing the exopolysaccharide impurity in biotechnological applications, independent of the recombinant protein produced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rice straw presents challenges as livestock feed due to its low digestibility and the presence of chemical residues. One potential solution is to focus on breeding brittle varieties that possess disease-resistance traits. In this study, AZ1803, a brittle mutant line isolated from the IR64 mutant pool, was chosen for gene identification and breeding. The AZ1803 mutant was crossed to the TNG67 variety to generate a mapping population and to the CS11 variety for fine mapping and breeding. The gene was mapped on chr. 10 between RM467 and RM171 SSR markers and was narrowed down to RM271 and RM5392 with 600 kb proximately interval. The AZ1803 and IR64 sequencing results revealed a substitution mutant in the Exon 9th of the OsCesA7 gene, resulting in an amino acid mutation at the end of the transmembrane domain 5th of the CESA7, responsible for cellulose synthesis for the secondary cell wall. The cellulose content of AZ1803 was reduced by 25% compared with the IR64. A new brittle and disease-resistant variety was bred by using developed markers in marker-assisted selection. In addition, bending tests and bacterial blight inoculation were applied. The bacterial lesion length of the bred variety is 64% lower than that of AZ1803. The rice straw of the new variety can be used for livestock feeding, which increases farmer income and reduces pesticide residues and air pollution from straw burning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims The formation of multifunctional vascular tissues represents a significant advancement in plant evolution. Differentiation of conductive cells is specific, involving two main pathways, namely protoplast clearance and cell wall modification. In xylogenesis, autophagy is a crucial process for complete protoplast elimination in tracheary elements, whose cell wall also undergoes strong changes. Knowledge pertaining to living sieve elements, which lose most of their protoplast during phloemogenesis, remains limited. We hypothesized that autophagy plays a crucial role, not only in complete cytoplasmic clearance in xylem but also in partial degradation in phloem. Cell wall elaborations of mature sieve elements are not so extensive. These analyses performed on evolutionarily diverse model species potentially make it possible to understand phloemogenesis to an equal extent to xylogenesis. Methods We investigated the distribution of ATG8 protein, which is an autophagy marker, and cell wall components in the roots of ferns, gymnosperms and angiosperms (monocots, dicot herbaceous plants and trees). Furthermore, we conducted a bioinformatic analysis of complete data on ATG8 isoforms for Ceratopteris richardii. Key Results The presence of ATG8 protein was confirmed in both tracheary elements and sieve elements; however, the composition of cell wall components varied considerably among vascular tissues in the selected plants. Arabinogalactan proteins and β-1,4-galactan were detected in the roots of all studied species, suggesting their potential importance in phloem formation or function. In contrast, no evolutionary pattern was observed for xyloglucan, arabinan or homogalacturonan. Conclusions Our findings indicate that the involvement of autophagy in plants is universal during the development of tracheary elements that are dead at maturity and sieve elements that remain alive. Given the conserved nature of autophagy and its function in protoplast degradation for uninterrupted flow, autophagy might have played a vital role in the development of increasingly complex biological organizations, including the formation of vascular tissues. However, different cell wall compositions of xylem and phloem in different species might indicate diverse functionality and potential for substance transport, which is crucial in plant evolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The combined copigmentation and layer‐by‐layer (LBL) hydrophobic coating technique was developed to preserve anthocyanins in thermally processed (TP) whole blueberry fruit in our previous study. This study investigated the impact of the developed technique on the cell wall composition and structure, anthocyanin stability and fruit firmness in non‐thermally (high hydrostatic pressure (HHP)) processed whole blueberry fruit during the refrigerated storage at 4 °C ~ 7 °C. Meanwhile, the wet‐milling process was utilised to treat cellulose nanofiber (CNF) based first layer coating for enhancing adhesion and improving the appearance of LBL coating on the fruit. The developed anthocyanin preservation technique retained significantly (P < 0.05) higher chelator‐soluble pectin in both thermally and HHP processed fruit (102.8 ± 7.0 and 100.8 ± 5.1 mg g−1 dry fruit skin, respectively). The technique also enhanced fruit anthocyanin stability reflected by the bathochromic and hyperchromic effect on fruit skin extract. In addition, it significantly (P < 0.05) enhanced the firmness of HHP (551.2 ± 80.7 g) or TP (579.8 ± 90.9 g) processed fruit during the refrigerated or ambient storage compared with control (488.9 ± 75.8 g). The wet‐milling process was able to fibrillate aggregated cellulosic fibres in the coating suspension, thus improved the adhesion and appearance of LBL coating onto the fruit surface. This study demonstrated that the combined copigmentation and LBL coating, along with wet milling treatment of CNF‐based coating, can effectively preserve anthocyanins in HHP processed whole blueberry fruit during extended refrigeration storage owning to the modification of fruit surface cell wall composition and structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Years ago, a classic textbook would define plant cell walls based on passive features. For instance, a sort of plant exoskeleton of invariable polysaccharide composition, and probably painted in green. However, currently, this view has been expanded to consider plant cell walls as active, heterogeneous, and dynamic structures with a high degree of complexity. However, what do we mean when we refer to a cell wall as a dynamic structure? How can we investigate the different implications of this dynamism? While the first question has been the subject of several recent publications, defining the ideal strategies and tools needed to address the second question has proven to be challenging due to the myriad of techniques available. In this review, we will describe the capacities of several methodologies to study cell wall composition, structure, and other aspects developed or optimized in recent years. Keeping in mind cell wall dynamism and plasticity, the advantages of performing long-term non-invasive live-imaging methods will be emphasized. We specifically focus on techniques developed for Arabidopsis thaliana primary cell walls, but the techniques could be applied to both secondary cell walls and other plant species. We believe this toolset will help researchers in expanding knowledge of these dynamic/evolving structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although ectomycorrhizal (ECM) contribution to soil organic matter processes receives increased attention, little is known about fundamental differences in chemical composition among species, and how that may be affected by carbon (C) availability. Here, we study how 16 species (incl. 19 isolates) grown in pure culture at three different C:N ratios (10:1, 20:1, and 40:1) vary in chemical structure, using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. We hypothesized that C availability impacts directly on chemical composition, expecting increased C availability to lead to more carbohydrates and less proteins in the mycelia. There were strong and significant effects of ECM species (R2 = 0.873 and P = 0.001) and large species-specific differences in chemical composition. Chemical composition also changed significantly with C availability, and increased C led to more polysaccharides and less proteins for many species, but not all. Understanding how chemical composition change with altered C availability is a first step towards understanding their role in organic matter accumulation and decomposition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The blackening of cut carrots causes substantial economic losses to the food industry. Blackening was not observed in carrots that had been stored underground for less than a year, but the susceptibility to blackening increased with the age of the carrots that were stored underground for longer periods. Samples of black, border, and orange tissues from processed carrot batons and slices, prepared under industry standard conditions, were analyzed to identify the molecular and metabolic mechanisms underpinning processing-induced blackening. The black tissues showed substantial molecular and metabolic rewiring and large changes in the cell wall structure, with a decreased abundance of xyloglucan, pectins (homogalacturonan, rhamnogalacturonan-I, galactan and arabinan), and higher levels of lignin and other phenolic compounds when compared to orange tissues. Metabolite profiling analysis showed that there was a major shift from primary to secondary metabolism in the black tissues, which were depleted in sugars, amino acids, and tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle intermediates but were rich in phenolic compounds. These findings suggest that processing triggers a release from quiescence. Transcripts encoding proteins associated with secondary metabolism were less abundant in the black tissues, but there were no increases in transcripts associated with oxidative stress responses, programmed cell death, or senescence. We conclude that restraining quiescence release alters cell wall metabolism and composition, particularly regarding pectin composition, in a manner that increases susceptibility to blackening upon processing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rice straw presents challenges as livestock feed due to its low digestibility and the presence of chemical residues. One potential solution is to focus on breeding brittle varieties that possess disease-resistance traits. In this study, AZ1803, a brittle mutant line isolated from the IR64 mutant pool, was chosen for gene identification and breeding. The AZ1803 mutant was crossed to the TNG67 variety to generate a mapping population and to the CS11 variety for fine mapping and breeding. The gene was mapped on chr. 10 between RM467 and RM171 SSR markers and was narrowed down to RM271 and RM5392 with 600 kb proximately interval. The AZ1803 and IR64 sequencing results revealed a substitution mutant in the Exon 9th of the OsCesA7 gene, resulting in an amino acid mutation at the end of the transmembrane domain 5th of the CESA7, responsible for cellulose synthesis for the secondary cell wall. The cellulose content of AZ1803 was reduced by 25% compared with the IR64. A new brittle and disease-resistant variety was bred by using developed markers in marker-assisted selection. In addition, bending tests and bacterial blight inoculation were applied. The bacterial lesion length of the bred variety is 64% lower than that of AZ1803. The rice straw of the new variety can be used for livestock feeding, which increases farmer income and reduces pesticide residues and air pollution from straw burning.

Abstract Background To survive harsh environmental conditions, desert plants show various adaptions, such as the evolution of trichomes, which are protective epidermal protrusions. Currently, the morphogenesis and function of trichomes in desert plants are not well understood. Salsola ferganica is an annual halophyte distributed in cold deserts; at the seedling stage, its rod-shaped true leaves are covered with long and thick trichomes and are affected by habitat conditions. Therefore, we evaluated the trichomes on morphogenesis and cell wall composition of S. ferganica compared to Arabidopsis thaliana and cotton, related gene expression, and preliminary function in salt accumulation of the leaves. Results The trichomes of S. ferganica were initiated from the epidermal primordium, followed by two to three rounds of cell division to form a multicellular trichome, while some genes associated with them were positively involved. Cell wall composition analysis showed that different polysaccharides including heavily methyl-esterified and fully de-esterified pectins (before maturation, probably in the primary wall), xyloglucans (in the mid-early and middle stages, probably in the secondary wall), and extensin (during the whole developmental period) were detected, which were different from those found in trichomes of Arabidopsis and cotton. Moreover, trichome development was affected by abiotic stress, and might accumulate salt from the mesophyll cells and secrete outside. Conclusions S. ferganica has multicellular, non-branched trichomes that undergo two to three rounds of cell division and are affected by abiotic stress. They have a unique cell wall composition which is different from that of Arabidopsis and cotton. Furthermore, several genes positively or negatively regulate trichome development. Our findings should contribute to our further understanding of the biogenesis and adaptation of plant accessory structures in desert plant species.

Plant cell wall biosynthesis is a complex and tightly regulated process. The composition and the structure of the cell wall should have a certain level of plasticity to ensure dynamic changes upon encountering environmental stresses or to fulfil the demand of the rapidly growing cells. The status of the cell wall is constantly monitored to facilitate optimal growth through the activation of appropriate stress response mechanisms. Salt stress can severely damage plant cell walls and disrupt the normal growth and development of plants, greatly reducing productivity and yield. Plants respond to salt stress and cope with the resulting damage by altering the synthesis and deposition of the main cell wall components to prevent water loss and decrease the transport of surplus ions into the plant. Such cell wall modifications affect biosynthesis and deposition of the main cell wall components: cellulose, pectins, hemicelluloses, lignin, and suberin. In this review, we highlight the roles of cell wall components in salt stress tolerance and the regulatory mechanisms underlying their maintenance under salt stress conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditional treatment of wastewaters is a burden for local governments. Using short rotation coppice willow (SRCW) as vegetal filter has several environmental and economic benefits. Here, we investigated the effect of primary wastewater irrigation on wood structure and composition of the willow cultivar Salix miyabeana 'SX67' following two years of growth. Compared to unirrigated plants (UI), stem sections of plants irrigated with primary wastewater (WWD) showed an unexpected decrease of hydraulic conductance (KS) associated with a decrease in vessel density but not vessel diameter. The majority (86%) of vessels had diameters range groups [20-30[, [30-40[and [40-50[µm and contributed to > 75% of theoretical KS, while the group class [50-60[µm (less than 10% of vessels) still accounted for > 20% of total KS regardless irrigation treatments. WWD significantly alters the chemical composition of wood with an increase of glucan content by 9 to 16.4% and a decrease of extractives by 35.3 to 36.4% when compared to UI or to plants irrigated with potable water (PW). The fertigation did also increase the proportion of the tension wood which highly correlated with glucan content. In the context of energetic transition and mitigation of climate change, such results are of high interest since WWD effectively permit the phytofiltration of large amounts of organic contaminated effluents without impairing SRCW physiology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Main conclusion: Hypergravity is an effective novel stimulus to elucidate plant gravitational and mechanobiological behaviour. Here, we review the current understanding of phenotypic, physio-biochemical, and molecular plant responses to simulated hypergravity. Plants readily respond to altered gravity conditions, such as microgravity or hypergravity. Hypergravity—a gravitational force higher than that on the Earth’s surface (> 1g)—can be simulated using centrifuges. Exposing seeds, seedlings, or plant cell cultures to hypergravity elicits characteristic morphological, physio-biochemical, and molecular changes. While several studies have provided insights into plant responses and underlying mechanisms, much is still elusive, including the interplay of hypergravity with gravitropism. Moreover, hypergravity is of great significance for mechano- and space/gravitational biologists to elucidate fundamental plant behaviour. In this review, we provide an overview of the phenotypic, physiological, biochemical, and molecular responses of plants to hypergravity. We then discuss the involvement of hypergravity in plant gravitropism—the directional growth along the gravity vector. Finally, we highlight future research directions to expand our understanding of hypergravity in plant biology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanomaterials as an emerging tool are being used to improve plant's net photosynthetic rate (A N) when suffering salt stress, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. To clarify this, a hydroponic experiment was conducted to study the effects of polyacrylic acid coated nanoceria (PNC) on the A N of salt-stressed cotton and related intrinsic mechanisms. Results showed that the PNC-induced A N enhancement of salt-stressed leaves was strongly facilitated by the mesophyll conductance to CO 2 (g m). Further analysis showed that the PNC-induced improvement of g m was related to the increased chloroplast surface area exposed to intercellular airspaces, which was attribute to the increased mesophyll surface area exposed to intercellular airspaces and chloroplast number due to the increased K+ content and decreased reactive oxygen species level in salt-stressed leaves. Interestingly, our results also showed that PNC-induced variations in cell wall composition of salt-stressed cotton leaves strongly influenced g m , especially, hemicellulose and pectin. Moreover, the proportion of pectin in cell wall composition played a more important role in determining g m. Our study demonstrated for the first time that nanoceria, through alterations to anatomical traits and cell wall composition, drove g m enhancement, which ultimately increased A N of salt-stressed leaves. • Foliar application of CeO 2 NPs enhances growth and photosynthesis of cotton under salt stress. • CeO 2 NPs-induced enhancement in g m of salt-stressed cotton leaves is a key determinant for promoting photosynthesis. • CeO 2 NPs-induced variations in leaf anatomy partly explain the enhancement of g m to salt-stressed cotton leaves. • CeO 2 NPs-induced variations in cell wall composition also strongly influence the g m of salt-stressed cotton leaves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The blackening of cut carrots causes substantial economic losses to the food industry. Blackening was not observed in carrots that had been stored underground for less than a year, but the susceptibility to blackening increased with the age of the carrots that were stored underground for longer periods. Samples of black, border, and orange tissues from processed carrot batons and slices, prepared under industry standard conditions, were analyzed to identify the molecular and metabolic mechanisms underpinning processing-induced blackening. The black tissues showed substantial molecular and metabolic rewiring and large changes in the cell wall structure, with a decreased abundance of xyloglucan, pectins (homogalacturonan, rhamnogalacturonan-I, galactan and arabinan), and higher levels of lignin and other phenolic compounds when compared to orange tissues. Metabolite profiling analysis showed that there was a major shift from primary to secondary metabolism in the black tissues, which were depleted in sugars, amino acids, and tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle intermediates but were rich in phenolic compounds. These findings suggest that processing triggers a release from quiescence. Transcripts encoding proteins associated with secondary metabolism were less abundant in the black tissues, but there were no increases in transcripts associated with oxidative stress responses, programmed cell death, or senescence. We conclude that restraining quiescence release alters cell wall metabolism and composition, particularly regarding pectin composition, in a manner that increases susceptibility to blackening upon processing.

Plant cell wall biosynthesis is a complex and tightly regulated process. The composition and the structure of the cell wall should have a certain level of plasticity to ensure dynamic changes upon encountering environmental stresses or to fulfil the demand of the rapidly growing cells. The status of the cell wall is constantly monitored to facilitate optimal growth through the activation of appropriate stress response mechanisms. Salt stress can severely damage plant cell walls and disrupt the normal growth and development of plants, greatly reducing productivity and yield. Plants respond to salt stress and cope with the resulting damage by altering the synthesis and deposition of the main cell wall components to prevent water loss and decrease the transport of surplus ions into the plant. Such cell wall modifications affect biosynthesis and deposition of the main cell wall components: cellulose, pectins, hemicelluloses, lignin, and suberin. In this review, we highlight the roles of cell wall components in salt stress tolerance and the regulatory mechanisms underlying their maintenance under salt stress conditions.

Traditional treatment of wastewaters is a burden for local governments. Using short rotation coppice willow (SRCW) as vegetal filter has several environmental and economic benefits. Here, we investigated the effect of primary wastewater irrigation on wood structure and composition of the willow cultivar Salix miyabeana ‘SX67’ following two years of growth. Compared to unirrigated plants (UI), stem sections of plants irrigated with primary wastewater (WWD) showed an unexpected decrease of hydraulic conductance (KS) associated with a decrease in vessel density but not vessel diameter. The majority (86%) of vessels had diameters range groups [20-30[, [30-40[and [40-50[µm and contributed to > 75% of theoretical KS, while the group class [50-60[µm (less than 10% of vessels) still accounted for > 20% of total KS regardless irrigation treatments. WWD significantly alters the chemical composition of wood with an increase of glucan content by 9 to 16.4% and a decrease of extractives by 35.3 to 36.4% when compared to UI or to plants irrigated with potable water (PW). The fertigation did also increase the proportion of the tension wood which highly correlated with glucan content. In the context of energetic transition and mitigation of climate change, such results are of high interest since WWD effectively permit the phytofiltration of large amounts of organic contaminated effluents without impairing SRCW physiology.

BackgroundBiofuels derived from lignocellulosic plant material are an important component of current renewable energy strategies. Improvement efforts in biofuel feedstock crops have been primarily focused on increasing biomass yield with less consideration for tissue quality or composition. Four primary components found in the plant cell wall contribute to the overall quality of plant tissue and conversion characteristics, cellulose and hemicellulose polysaccharides are the primary targets for fuel conversion, while lignin and ash provide structure and defense. We explore the genetic architecture of tissue characteristics using a quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping approach in Panicum hallii, a model lignocellulosic grass system. Diversity in the mapping population was generated by crossing xeric and mesic varietals, comparative to northern upland and southern lowland ecotypes in switchgrass. We use near-infrared spectroscopy with a primary analytical method to create a P. hallii specific calibration model to quickly quantify cell wall components.ResultsAsh, lignin, glucan, and xylan comprise 68% of total dry biomass in P. hallii: comparable to other feedstocks. We identified 14 QTL and one epistatic interaction across these four cell wall traits and found almost half of the QTL to localize to a single linkage group.ConclusionsPanicum hallii serves as the genomic model for its close relative and emerging biofuel crop, switchgrass (P. virgatum). We used high throughput phenotyping to map genomic regions that impact natural variation in leaf tissue composition. Understanding the genetic architecture of tissue traits in a tractable model grass system will lead to a better understanding of cell wall structure as well as provide genomic resources for bioenergy crop breeding programs.

SUMMARY: Water shortage strongly affects plants' physiological performance. Since tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) non‐long shelf‐life (nLSL) and long shelf‐life (LSL) genotypes differently face water deprivation, we subjected a nLSL and a LSL genotype to four treatments: control (well watering), short‐term water deficit stress at 40% field capacity (FC) (ST 40% FC), short‐term water deficit stress at 30% FC (ST 30% FC), and short‐term water deficit stress at 30% FC followed by recovery (ST 30% FC‐Rec). Treatments promoted genotype‐dependent elastic adjustments accompanied by distinct photosynthetic responses. While the nLSL genotype largely modified mesophyll conductance (gm) across treatments, it was kept within a narrow range in the LSL genotype. However, similar gm values were achieved under ST 30% FC conditions. Particularly, modifications in the relative abundance of cell wall components and in sub‐cellular anatomic parameters such as the chloroplast surface area exposed to intercellular air space per leaf area (Sc/S) and the cell wall thickness (Tcw) regulated gm in the LSL genotype. Instead, only changes in foliar structure at the supra‐cellular level influenced gm in the nLSL genotype. Even though further experiments testing a larger range of genotypes and treatments would be valuable to support our conclusions, we show that even genotypes of the same species can present different elastic, anatomical, and cell wall composition‐mediated mechanisms to regulate gm when subjected to distinct water regimes. Significance Statement: Two distinct tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) genotypes present different strategies to adjust physiological traits once acclimatised to contrasting water regimes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To survive harsh environmental conditions, desert plants show various adaptions, such as the evolution of trichomes, which are protective epidermal protrusions. Currently, the morphogenesis and function of trichomes in desert plants are not well understood. Salsola ferganica is an annual halophyte distributed in cold deserts; at the seedling stage, its rod-shaped true leaves are covered with long and thick trichomes and are affected by habitat conditions. Therefore, we evaluated the trichomes on morphogenesis and cell wall composition of S. ferganica compared to Arabidopsis thaliana and cotton, related gene expression, and preliminary function in salt accumulation of the leaves. Results: The trichomes of S. ferganica were initiated from the epidermal primordium, followed by two to three rounds of cell division to form a multicellular trichome, while some genes associated with them were positively involved. Cell wall composition analysis showed that different polysaccharides including heavily methyl-esterified and fully de-esterified pectins (before maturation, probably in the primary wall), xyloglucans (in the mid-early and middle stages, probably in the secondary wall), and extensin (during the whole developmental period) were detected, which were different from those found in trichomes of Arabidopsis and cotton. Moreover, trichome development was affected by abiotic stress, and might accumulate salt from the mesophyll cells and secrete outside. Conclusions: S. ferganica has multicellular, non-branched trichomes that undergo two to three rounds of cell division and are affected by abiotic stress. They have a unique cell wall composition which is different from that of Arabidopsis and cotton. Furthermore, several genes positively or negatively regulate trichome development. Our findings should contribute to our further understanding of the biogenesis and adaptation of plant accessory structures in desert plant species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is a key crop for starch and biofuels production. This study focuses on the polysaccharide composition and saccharification efficiency in cassava pulp through genome-wide association studies (GWAS), targeting the improvement of root characteristics for industrial use. We analyzed 135 partially inbred lines population, performing monosaccharide composition and saccharification analyses to reveal substantial variability in storage root biomass. Among 33 traits examined, 128 significant SNPs were associated with 23 biomass traits, highlighting a complex genetic architecture. Saccharification potential varied from 39 to 95 nmol Glu mg−1 h−1, with high broad-sense heritability for saccharification and several monosaccharide traits, indicating a strong genetic control. Our findings revealed that cassava pulp comprises similar proportions of pectin, hemicellulose, and cellulose in all genotypes. Correlation analysis showed significant associations between cellulose content and saccharification, suggesting that enhancing these traits can improve bioconversion efficiency. Negative correlations with glucose and glucuronic acid in hemicellulose and pectin fractions imply these components may inhibit saccharification. We identified 118 candidate genes associated with 21 traits, with many involved in stress responses affecting cell wall composition. This study verified 12 key candidate genes through sequence and expression analysis, including MANES_07G081200 , a YTH domain-containing protein associated with saccharification. Several stress-response genes, such as MANES_04G118600 and MANES_09G174600 , were linked to monosaccharide traits, suggesting that adaptive stress pathways influence biomass characteristics. This study provides insights into the genetic determinants of cassava pulp's saccharification and polysaccharide composition, aiding breeding efforts to develop cassava varieties optimized for industrial applications. • GWAS identifies 128 significant SNPs linked to 23 cassava biomass traits based on cassava pulp. • High heritability found for saccharification and several monosaccharide traits. • Negative impact of glucose and glucuronic acid on saccharification of cassava pulp. • 118 candidate genes identified, many involved in stress responses affecting cell wall composition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the effects of hot water treatment on the texture of banana fruits. Fruits were dipped in hot water at 50 oC and 55 oC for 10 min before being stored at 25 oC. The firmness of fruits treated at 50 oC was higher than that of untreated fruits, and physiological changes including fresh weight loss, ethylene production, total soluble solid content, and peel color were also prevented. Treatment at 55 oC slowed softening, but induced peel damage and failure to develop a normal color. Investigation of the cell wall composition and structure following treatment at 50 oC showed a delay in the increase of watersoluble pectin, correlated with fruit firmness. A higher level of HCl-soluble pectin was detected in treated fruits, indicating that cell wall polymer solubilization had been reduced. Structural alteration to the peel was also slower than in untreated fruits. The study clarified the effect of hot water treatment on alteration of the cell wall structure and composition of banana fruit during postharvest storage.

Abstract Background Chitin and its derivative chitosan are readily exploited, especially in food, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, biomedical, chemical, and textile industries. The biopolymers are currently recovered from the crustacean shells after purification from the large amount of proteins and minerals. The key problems are centered around a lot of chemical waste and allergenic potential of the heat-stable remaining proteins. Fungi can be considered as an alternative eco-friendlier source of the chitin and chitosan due to the lower level of inorganic materials and absence of the allergenic proteins. Results The work presents a new chemical assay to change the composition of the milled Fomes fomentarius fruiting bodies. A gradual 13-fold increase of the chitin amount accompanied by 14-fold decrease of the glucan content was obtained after repetitive alkali-acidic treatment. Raw material contained mainly chitin with 30% degree of deacetylation. After the first and second alkali treatment, the polymer was defined as chitosan with comparable amounts of N-acetyl-d-glucosamine and d-glucosamine units. The last treated samples showed an increase of the chitin amount to 80%, along with typical for the natural tinder fibers degree of deacetylation and three-dimensional fibrous hollow structure. Conclusions A new approach allowed a gradual enrichment of the pulverized Fomes fomentarius fruiting bodies with chitin or chitosan, depending on the extraction conditions. High stability and fibrous structure of the fungal cell walls with a drastically increased chitin ratio let us suggest a possibility of the targeted production of the chitin-enriched fungal material biotechnologically under eco-friendly conditions.

Stipe elongation is an important process in the development of the fruiting body and is associated with the commodity quality of agaric fungi. In this study, F. filiformis was used as a model agaric fungus to reveal the function of the chromatin modifier gene containing the JmjC domain in stipe elongation. First, we identified a JmjC domain family gene (FfJmhy) with a 3684 bp length open reading frame (ORF) in F. filiformis. FfJmhy was predicted to have a histone H3K9 demethylation function, and was specifically upregulated during stipe rapid elongation. Further investigation revealed that the silencing of FfJmhy inhibited the mycelial growth, while overexpression of this gene had no effect on the mycelial growth. Comparative analysis revealed that the stipe elongation rate in FfJmhy overexpression strains was significantly increased, while it was largely reduced when FfJmhy was silenced. Taken together, these results suggest that FfJmhy positively regulates the mycelial growth and controls the elongation speed and the length of the stipe. Moreover, cell wall-related enzymes genes, including three exo-β-1,3-glucanases, one β-1,6-glucan synthase, four chitinases, and two expansin proteins, were found to be regulated by FfJmhy. Based on the putative functions of FfJmhy, we propose that this gene enhances the transcription of cell wall-related enzymes genes by demethylating histone H3K9 sites to regulate remodeling of the cell wall in rapid stipe elongation. This study provides new insight into the mechanism of rapid stipe elongation, and it is important to regulate the commodity quality of agaric fungi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Succulent plants represent a large functional group of drought-resistant plants that store water in specialized tissues. Several co-adaptive traits accompany this water-storage capacity to constitute the succulent syndrome. A widely reported anatomical adaptation of cell walls in succulent tissues allows them to fold in a regular fashion during extended drought, thus preventing irreversible damage and permitting reversible volume changes. Although ongoing research on crop and model species continuously reports the importance of cell walls and their dynamics in drought resistance, the cell walls of succulent plants have received relatively little attention to date, despite the potential of succulents as natural capital to mitigate the effects of climate change. In this review, we summarize current knowledge of cell walls in drought-avoiding succulents and their effects on tissue biomechanics, water relations, and photosynthesis. We also highlight the existing knowledge gaps and propose a hypothetical model for regulated cell wall folding in succulent tissues upon dehydration. Future perspectives of methodological development in succulent cell wall characterization, including the latest technological advances in molecular and imaging techniques, are also presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the physiological and molecular properties relating to cell wall carbohydrate metabolism in fruit, the ultrastructure and polysaccharides compositions of the cell wall, as well as the fruit quality and activities of enzymes relating to fruit softening, were studied for three Hami melon varieties ('Xizhoumi 17', 'Jinhuami 25', and 'Chougua') representing three different storability levels. The results showed that 'Chougua' maintained a higher firmness on day 18, with the lowest decay incidence (0%). 'Chougua' showed a better storage quality and intact cell wall structure. The molecular weight and monosaccharide composition of cell wall polysaccharides for Hami melons underwent great changes during storage, and the degradation of pectin polysaccharides was obvious, involving the depolymerization of macromolecular polymers accompanied by the production of new macromolecular polymers and composition changes in pectin monosaccharides (glucose, galactose, and arabinose) during the softening process of the Hami melons. Polygalacturonase, pectin methylesterase, xyloglucan endo-transglycosylase/hydrolase, α-arabinofuranosidase, β-galactosidase, and cellulase were associated with fruit softening at different stages of storage. There were similar softening mechanisms in the three Hami melons. This study will provide reference for further study on the fruit softening mechanisms of Hami melons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In previous work, we identified that exposure to limited water availability induced changes in cell wall composition of mature Helianthus annuus L. leaves that affected mesophyll conductance to CO2 diffusion (g m). However, it is unclear on which timescale these changes in cell wall composition occurred. Here, we subjected H. annuus to control (i.e. water availability), different levels of short-term water deficit stress (ST), long-term water deficit stress (LT), and long-term water deficit stress followed by gradual recoveries addressed at different timescales (LT-Rec) to evaluate the dynamics of modifications in the main composition of cell wall (cellulose, hemicelluloses, pectins and lignins) affecting photosynthesis. During gradual ST treatments, pectins enhancement was associated with g m decline. However, during LT-Rec, pectins content decreased significantly after only 5 h, while hemicelluloses and lignins amounts changed after 24 h, all being uncoupled from g m. Surprisingly, lignins increased by around 200% compared with control and were related to stomatal conductance to gas diffusion (g s) during LT-Rec. Although we suspect that the accuracy of the protocols to determine cell wall composition should be re-evaluated, we demonstrate for the first time that a highly dynamic cell wall composition turnover differently affects photosynthesis in plants subjected to distinct water regimes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Plant cell wall polysaccharide composition is closely related to the occurrence of aluminum (Al) toxicity and Al resistance. Glycosyltransferases participate in cell wall polysaccharide biosynthesis. Our previous microarray analysis showed that Al increased the transcriptional abundance of UDP-glycosyltransferase (UGT) in soybean (Glycine max). The present study aimed to clarify if GmUGTs are involved in modifying the composition of cell wall polysaccharides and then alter soybean Al sensitivity. Methods: Two soybean genes, UGT85A111 and UGT83R1, were identified, and their functions were characterized by analyses of expression pattern and subcellular localization, and evaluations of carbohydrates in the cell wall and Al sensitivity by their overexpression in soybean hairy roots and Arabidopsis. Results: The transcriptional expression of UGT85A111 and UGT83R1 was increased with different patterns and levels under Al stress. Both GmUGTs localized to the plasma membrane. UGT85A111-OE and UGT83R1-OE soybean hairy roots showed less Al absorption, which was accompanied by alterations in cell wall polysaccharide components, particularly reduced callose and/or hemicellulose contents. Monosaccharide content, including glucose and xylose in the GmUGTs-OE roots, was also affected. Heterologous expression of UGT85A111 and UGT83R1 significantly improved the plant's Al resistance capacity. Conclusion: GmUGTs contribute to the disruption of cell wall polysaccharide compositions and Al sensitivity in soybean. The results suggest a particularly protective role of UGTs against Al toxicity and may provide novel clues for plant Al stress adaptation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fruit hardening is a new condition in 'Suli' pear fruits that affects their commercial value. This study analyzed the cell wall composition, fruit quality and tissue structure of normal and hardened fruit. The results showed that the protopectin, cellulose and hemicellulose content of hardened fruit were not significantly different from normal fruit. However, in hardened fruit, the soluble pectin content was significantly lower compared to normal fruit, and the lignin content was significantly higher compared to normal fruit, especially in the hardened fruit top region. Hardened fruit also displayed significantly higher cellular lignin autofluorescence than normal fruit. Regarding fruit quality, the firmness and titratable acid content in the hardened fruit were significantly higher than in normal fruit, and the stone cell content in the hardened fruit was significantly higher than in normal fruit, especially in the hardened fruit top region. Fruit water, soluble solid and soluble sugar content in the hardened fruit were significantly lower compared to normal fruit. While observing the development of stone cells, the size and density of stone cells in hardened fruits rapidly increased at 24–34 days after flowering (DAF), especially in the hardened fruit top region. It was likely that a significant synthesis of lignin caused a rapid increase in stone cell density, leading to fruit hardening. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Development of strategies to deconstruct lignocellulosic biomass in tree species is essential for biofuels and biomaterials production. We applied a wood forming tissue-specific system in a hybrid poplar to express both PdSuSy (a sucrose synthase gene from Populus deltoides × P. euramericana that has not been functionally characterized) and HCHL (the hydroxycinnamoyl-CoA hydratase-lyase gene from Pseudomonas fluorescens, which inhibits lignin polymerization in Arabidopsis). The PdSuSy-HCHL overexpression poplars correspondingly driven by the promoters of Arabidopsis AtCesA7 and AtC4H resulted in a significant increase in cellulose (> 8%), xylan (> 12%) and glucose (> 29%) content, accompanying a reduction in galacturonic acid (> 36%) content, compared to control plants. The saccharification efficiency of these overexpression poplars was dramatically increased by up to 27%, but total lignin content was unaffected. These transgenic poplars showed inhibited growth characteristics, including > 16% reduced plant height, > 10% reduced number of internodes, and > 18% reduced fresh weight after growth of 4 months, possibly due to relatively low expression of HCHL in secondary xylem. Our results demonstrate the structural complexity and interaction of the cell wall polymers in wood tissue and outline a potential method to increase biomass saccharification in woody species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous studies have clarified the impacts of magnesium (Mg) on leaf photosynthesis from the perspectives of protein synthesis, enzymes activation and carbohydrate partitioning. However, it still remains largely unknown how stomatal and mesophyll conductances (g s and g m , respectively) are regulated by Mg. In the present study, leaf gas exchanges, leaf hydraulic parameters, leaf structural traits and cell wall composition were examined in rice plants grown under high and low Mg treatments to elucidate the impacts of Mg on g s and g m. Our results showed that reduction of leaf photosynthesis under Mg deficiency was mainly caused by the decreased g m , followed by reduced leaf biochemical capacity and g s , and leaf outside-xylem hydraulic conductance (K ox) was the major factor restricting g s under Mg deficiency. Moreover, increased leaf hemicellulose, lignin and pectin contents and decreased cell wall effective porosity were observed in low Mg plants relative to high Mg plants. These results suggest that K ox and cell wall composition play important roles in regulating g s and g m , respectively, in rice plants under Mg shortages. • The impacts of Mg on g s and g m were studied in rice plants. • Reduced A n under Mg deficiency was mainly caused by g m , followed by leaf biochemical capacity and g s. • K ox was the major factor contributing to the reduced g s under Mg deficiency. • Decreased g m under Mg deficiency was resulted by the decreased S c and ρ/τ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Agricultural residues, such as straw, offer an opportunity to produce biofuels and chemicals in biorefineries without compromising food production. The ideal “dual‐purpose cultivar” would have high yield of grain and straw. In addition, the straw should be easy to process in a biorefinery: It should have good degradability, high concentration of carbohydrates, and low concentration of ash. Nitrogen (N) is an essential nutrient important for plant growth, crop yield and grain quality. However, N production and application comes with a high cost and high environmental footprint. The N application should consequently be based on an economical optimum. Limited knowledge exists on how N application affects the potential of straw for biorefining, for example, straw yield and quality. This study, conducted over three cropping seasons, investigated the effect of N supply on the biorefining potential and included 14 wheat cultivars and one triticale cultivar. The N supply directly affected the yield of straw and grain. In addition, the protein concentration in grain and straw increased, but the composition of the straw with respect to carbohydrates and lignin was largely unaffected by N supply. The only significant change was a lower silicon concentration at increasing N application rate, which could be beneficial for lignin valorization in biorefineries. Likely due to the negligible changes in cell wall composition, the effect of N application rate on straw degradability was not significant. N application should therefore primarily be optimized with respect to grain quality and overall yield of grain and straw. Differences between cultivars were also minor with respect to their performance in a biorefinery process. From a breeding and agronomic perspective, focus should therefore be put on maximizing the biomass output from the field, that is, selecting the cultivar with highest grain and straw yield and optimizing the application of fertilizer to get optimum N use efficiency.

Stoichiometry of leaf macronutrients can provide insight into the tradeoffs between leaf structural and metabolic investments. Structural carbon (C) in cell walls is contained in lignin and polysaccharides (cellulose, hemicellulose, and pectins). Much of leaf calcium (Ca) and a fraction of magnesium (Mg) were further bounded with cell wall pectins. The macronutrients phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and nitrogen (N) are primarily involved in cell metabolic functions. There is limited information on the functional interrelations among leaf C and macronutrients, and the functional dimensions characterizing the leaf structural and metabolic tradeoffs are not widely appreciated. We investigated the relationships between leaf C and macronutrient (N, P, K, Ca, Mg) concentrations in two widespread broad-leaved deciduous woody species Quercus wutaishanica (90 individuals) and Betula platyphylla (47 individuals), and further tested the generality of the observed relationships in 222 woody eudicots from 15 forest ecosystems. In a subsample of 20 broad-leaved species, we also analyzed the relationships among C, Ca, lignin, and pectin concentrations in leaf cell walls. We found a significant leaf C–Ca tradeoff operating within and across species and across ecosystems. This basic relationship was explained by variations in the share of cell wall lignin and pectin investments at the cell scale. The C–Ca tradeoffs were mainly driven by soil pH and mean annual temperature and precipitation, suggesting that leaves were more economically built with less C and more Ca as soil pH increased and at lower temperature and lower precipitation. However, we did not detect consistent patterns among C–N, and C–Mg at different levels of biological organization, suggesting substantial plasticity in N and Mg distribution among cell organelles and cell protoplast and cell wall. We observed two major axes of macronutrient differentiation: the cell-wall structural axis consisting of protein-free C and Ca and the protoplasm metabolic axis consisting of P and K, underscoring the decoupling of structural and metabolic elements inherently linked with cell wall from protoplasm investment strategies. We conclude that the tradeoffs between leaf C and Ca highlight how carbon is allocated to leaf structural function and suggest that this might indicate biogeochemical niche differentiation of species.

Stoichiometry of leaf macronutrients can provide insight into the tradeoffs between leaf structural and metabolic investments. Structural carbon (C) in cell walls is contained in lignin and polysaccharides (cellulose, hemicellulose, and pectins). Much of leaf calcium (Ca) and a fraction of magnesium (Mg) were further bounded with cell wall pectins. The macronutrients phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and nitrogen (N) are primarily involved in cell metabolic functions. There is limited information on the functional interrelations among leaf C and macronutrients, and the functional dimensions characterizing the leaf structural and metabolic tradeoffs are not widely appreciated. We investigated the relationships between leaf C and macronutrient (N, P, K, Ca, Mg) concentrations in two widespread broad-leaved deciduous woody species Quercus wutaishanica (90 individuals) and Betula platyphylla (47 individuals), and further tested the generality of the observed relationships in 222 woody eudicots from 15 forest ecosystems. In a subsample of 20 broad-leaved species, we also analyzed the relationships among C, Ca, lignin, and pectin concentrations in leaf cell walls. We found a significant leaf C–Ca tradeoff operating within and across species and across ecosystems. This basic relationship was explained by variations in the share of cell wall lignin and pectin investments at the cell scale. The C–Ca tradeoffs were mainly driven by soil pH and mean annual temperature and precipitation, suggesting that leaves were more economically built with less C and more Ca as soil pH increased and at lower temperature and lower precipitation. However, we did not detect consistent patterns among C–N, and C–Mg at different levels of biological organization, suggesting substantial plasticity in N and Mg distribution among cell organelles and cell protoplast and cell wall. We observed two major axes of macronutrient differentiation: the cell-wall structural axis consisting of protein-free C and Ca and the protoplasm metabolic axis consisting of P and K, underscoring the decoupling of structural and metabolic elements inherently linked with cell wall from protoplasm investment strategies. We conclude that the tradeoffs between leaf C and Ca highlight how carbon is allocated to leaf structural function and suggest that this might indicate biogeochemical niche differentiation of species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The key role of cell walls in setting mesophyll conductance to CO2 (g m) and, consequently, photosynthesis is reviewed. First, the theoretical properties of cell walls that can affect g m are presented. Then, we focus on cell wall thickness (T cw) reviewing empirical evidence showing that T cw varies strongly among species and phylogenetic groups in a way that correlates with g m and photosynthesis; that is, the thicker the mesophyll cell walls, the lower the g m and photosynthesis. Potential interplays of g m, T cw, dehydration tolerance, and hydraulic properties of leaves are also discussed. Dynamic variations of T cw in response to the environment and their implications in the regulation of photosynthesis are discussed, and recent evidence suggesting an influence of cell wall composition on g m is presented. We then propose a hypothetical mechanism for the influence of cell walls on photosynthesis, combining the effects of thickness and composition, particularly pectins. Finally, we discuss the prospects for using biotechnology for enhancing photosynthesis by altering cell wall-related genes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stipe elongation is an important process in the development of the fruiting body and is associated with the commodity quality of agaric fungi. In this study, F. filiformis was used as a model agaric fungus to reveal the function of the chromatin modifier gene containing the JmjC domain in stipe elongation. First, we identified a JmjC domain family gene (FfJmhy) with a 3684 bp length open reading frame (ORF) in F. filiformis. FfJmhy was predicted to have a histone H3K9 demethylation function, and was specifically upregulated during stipe rapid elongation. Further investigation revealed that the silencing of FfJmhy inhibited the mycelial growth, while overexpression of this gene had no effect on the mycelial growth. Comparative analysis revealed that the stipe elongation rate in FfJmhy overexpression strains was significantly increased, while it was largely reduced when FfJmhy was silenced. Taken together, these results suggest that FfJmhy positively regulates the mycelial growth and controls the elongation speed and the length of the stipe. Moreover, cell wall-related enzymes genes, including three exo-β-1,3-glucanases, one β-1,6-glucan synthase, four chitinases, and two expansin proteins, were found to be regulated by FfJmhy. Based on the putative functions of FfJmhy, we propose that this gene enhances the transcription of cell wall-related enzymes genes by demethylating histone H3K9 sites to regulate remodeling of the cell wall in rapid stipe elongation. This study provides new insight into the mechanism of rapid stipe elongation, and it is important to regulate the commodity quality of agaric fungi.

Cell walls are essential in the interaction of fungi with the (a)biotic environment and are also key to hyphal morphogenesis and mechanical strength. Here, we used solid-state NMR (ssNMR) spectroscopy combined with HPLC and GC–MS to study the structural organization of the cell wall of a representative of the Basidiomycota, one of the two main phyla of fungi. Based on the data we propose a refined model for the cell wall of a basidiomycete. In this model, the rigid core is built from α- and β-(1,3)-glucan, β-(1,3)-(1,6)-glucan, highly branched and single stranded β-(1,4)-chitin as well as polymeric fucose. The mobile fraction of the cell wall is composed of β-(1,3)-glucan, β-(1,3)-(1,6)-glucan, β-(1,6)-glucan, α-linked reducing and non-reducing ends and polymeric mannose. Together, these findings provide novel insights into the structural organization of the cell wall of the model basidiomycete S. commune that was previously based on destructive chemical and enzymatic analysis.

Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) is a bast-fiber crop with a great potential in the emerging bio-based economy. Yet, hemp breeding for fiber quality is restricted and that is mainly due to the limited knowledge of the genetic architecture of its fiber quality. A panel of 123 hemp accessions, with large phenotypic variability, was used to study the genetic basis of seven cell wall and bast fiber traits relevant to fiber quality. These traits showed large genetic variance components and high values of broad sense heritability in this hemp panel, as concluded from the phenotypic evaluation across three test locations with contrasting environments. The hemp panel was genotyped using restriction site associated DNA sequencing (RAD-seq). Subsequently, a large set (> 600,000) of selected genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers was used for a genome-wide association study (GWAS) approach to get insights into quantitative trait loci (QTLs) controlling fiber quality traits. In absence of a complete hemp genome sequence, identification of QTLs was based on the following characteristics: (i) association level to traits, (ii) fraction of explained trait variance, (iii) collinearity between QTLs, and (iv) detection across different environments. Using this approach, 16 QTLs were identified across locations for different fiber quality traits, including contents of glucose, glucuronic acid, mannose, xylose, lignin, and bast fiber content. Among them, six were found across the three environments. The genetic markers composing the QTLs that are common across locations are valuable tools to develop novel genotypes of hemp with improved fiber quality. Underneath the QTLs, 12 candidate genes were identified which are likely to be involved in the biosynthesis and modification of monosaccharides, polysaccharides, and lignin. These candidate genes were suggested to play an important role in determining fiber quality in hemp. This study provides new insights into the genetic architecture of fiber traits, identifies QTLs and candidate genes that form the basis for molecular breeding for high fiber quality hemp cultivars.

ABSTRACT Aspergillus fumigatus can cause a variety of lung diseases in immunocompromised patients, including life-threatening invasive aspergillosis. There are only three main classes of antifungal drugs currently used to treat aspergillosis, and antifungal resistance is increasing. Experimental results in fungal biology research are usually obtained as average measurements across whole populations while ignoring what is happening at the single cell level. In this study, we show that conidia with the same genetic background in the same cell population at a similar developmental stage show heterogeneity in their cell wall labeling at the single cell level. We present a rigorous statistical method, newly applied to quantify the level of cell heterogeneity, which allows for direct comparison of the heterogeneity observed between treatments. We show the extent of cell wall labeling heterogeneity in dormant conidia and how the level of heterogeneity changes during germination. The degree of heterogeneity is influenced by deletions of cell wall synthesizing genes and environmental conditions, including medium composition, method of inoculation, age of conidia, and the presence of antifungals. This heterogeneity results in subpopulations of germinating conidia with heterogeneous fitness to the antifungal caspofungin, which targets cell wall synthesis and heterogeneous sensitivity of dormant conidia to phagocytosis by macrophages. IMPORTANCE The fungus Aspergillus fumigatus can cause invasive lung diseases in immunocompromised patients resulting in high mortality. Treatment using antifungal compounds is often unsuccessful. Average population measurements hide what is happening at the individual cell level. We set out to test what impact individual differences between the cell walls of fungal conidia have on their behavior. We show that a population of cells having the same genetic background gives rise to subpopulations of cells that exhibit distinct behavior (phenotypic heterogeneity). This cell heterogeneity is dependent on the strain type, gene deletions, cell age, and environmental conditions. By looking at the individual cell level, we discovered subpopulations of cells that show differential fitness during antifungal treatment and uptake by immune cells.

Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) is a bast-fiber crop well-known for the great potential to produce sustainable fibers. Nevertheless, hemp fiber quality is a complex trait, and little is known about the phenotypic variability and heritability of fiber quality traits in hemp. The aim of this study is to gain insights into the variability in fiber quality within the hemp germplasm and to estimate the genetic components, environmental components, and genotype-by-environment (G×E) interactions on fiber quality traits in hemp. To investigate these parameters, a panel of 123 hemp accessions was phenotyped for 28 traits relevant to fiber quality at three locations in Europe, corresponding to climates of northern, central, and southern Europe. In general, hemp cultivated in northern latitudes showed a larger plant vigor while earlier flowering was characteristic of plants cultivated in southern latitudes. Extensive variability between accessions was observed for all traits. Most cell wall components (contents of monosaccharides derived from cellulose and hemicellulose; and lignin content), bast fiber content, and flowering traits revealed large genetic components with low G×E interactions and high broad-sense heritability values, making these traits suitable to maximize the genetic gains of fiber quality. In contrast, contents of pectin-related monosaccharides, most agronomic traits, and several fiber traits (fineness and decortication efficiency) showed low genetic components with large G×E interactions affecting the rankings across locations. These results suggest that pectin, agronomic traits, and fiber traits are unsuitable targets in breeding programs of hemp, as their large G×E interactions might lead to unexpected phenotypes in untested locations. Furthermore, all environmental effects on the 28 traits were statistically significant, suggesting a strong adaptive behavior of fiber quality in hemp to specific environments. The high variability in fiber quality observed in the hemp panel, the broad range in heritability, and adaptability among all traits prescribe positive prospects for the development of new hemp cultivars of excellent fiber quality.

Plant cell walls define the shape of the cells and provide mechanical support. They function as osmoregulators by controlling the transport of molecules between cells and provide transport pathways within the plant. These diverse functions require a well-defined and flexible organization of cell wall components, i.e., water, polysaccharides, proteins, and other diverse substances. Cell walls of desiccation tolerant resurrection plants withstand extreme mechanical stress during complete dehydration and rehydration. Adaptation to the changing water status of the plant plays a crucial role during this process. This review summarizes the compositional and structural variations, signal transduction and changes of gene expression which occur in cell walls of resurrection plants during dehydration and rehydration.

To investigate the physiological and molecular properties relating to cell wall carbohydrate metabolism in fruit, the ultrastructure and polysaccharides compositions of the cell wall, as well as the fruit quality and activities of enzymes relating to fruit softening, were studied for three Hami melon varieties (‘Xizhoumi 17’, ‘Jinhuami 25’, and ‘Chougua’) representing three different storability levels. The results showed that ‘Chougua’ maintained a higher firmness on day 18, with the lowest decay incidence (0%). ‘Chougua’ showed a better storage quality and intact cell wall structure. The molecular weight and monosaccharide composition of cell wall polysaccharides for Hami melons underwent great changes during storage, and the degradation of pectin polysaccharides was obvious, involving the depolymerization of macromolecular polymers accompanied by the production of new macromolecular polymers and composition changes in pectin monosaccharides (glucose, galactose, and arabinose) during the softening process of the Hami melons. Polygalacturonase, pectin methylesterase, xyloglucan endo-transglycosylase/hydrolase, α-arabinofuranosidase, β-galactosidase, and cellulase were associated with fruit softening at different stages of storage. There were similar softening mechanisms in the three Hami melons. This study will provide reference for further study on the fruit softening mechanisms of Hami melons.

Abstract Background Expression of glycosyl hydrolases in lignocellulosic biomass has been proposed as an alternative to improve efficiency of cellulosic ethanol production. In planta production of hyperthermophilic hydrolytic enzymes could prevent the detrimental effects often seen resulting from the expression of recombinant mesophilic enzymes to plant hosts. Utilizing lignocellulosic feedstocks to produce hyperthermophilic hydrolases provides additional benefits for ethanol production in the way of transgenic feedstocks serving as both enzyme providers and cellulosic substrates. Results In this study, transgenic hybrid poplar (Populus alba × grandidentata) was generated to express a hyperthermophilic endoglucanase from Thermotoga neapolitana with an optimal temperature over 100 °C. Functional hyperthermoactive endoglucanase was successfully produced in the transgenic events, and altered phenotypic growth was observed in transgenic lines. Moreover, the line with the highest TnCelB expression in both leaf and developing xylem had reduced lignin content and cellulose crystallinity, resulting in a more digestible cell wall. The activation of TnCelB by a post-harvest heat treatment resulted in enhanced saccharification efficiencies of transgenic poplar lines with moderate TnCelB expression and without alteration of cellulose and lignin when not heat-treated. In planta high-level overexpression of a hyperthermophilic endoglucanase paired with heat treatment following harvest, resulted in biomass that was comparable with wild-type lines that underwent a traditional pretreatment for saccharification. Conclusions Overexpression of hyperthermophilic endoglucanase in feedstock had impacts on plant growth and cell wall composition, especially when the enzyme was highly expressed. Improved glucan saccharification efficiencies from transgenic lines before and after heat treatment could reduce both the economic and environmental costs associated with ethanol production from lignocellulosic biomass.