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Loosening of plant cell walls by expansins

Author

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  • Daniel J. Cosgrove

    (208 Mueller Laboratory, Pennsylvania State University, University Park)

Abstract

Plant cell walls are the starting materials for many commercial products, from lumber, paper and textiles to thickeners, films and explosives. The cell wall is secreted by each cell in the plant body, forming a thin fibreglass-like network with remarkable strength and flexibility. During growth, plant cells secrete a protein called expansin, which unlocks the network of wall polysaccharides, permitting turgor-driven cell enlargement. Germinating grass pollen also secretes an unusual expansin that loosens maternal cell walls to aid penetration of the stigma by the pollen tube. Expansin's action has puzzling implications for plant cell-wall structure. The recent explosion of gene sequences and expression data has given new hints of additional biological functions for expansins.

Suggested Citation

  • Daniel J. Cosgrove, 2000. "Loosening of plant cell walls by expansins," Nature, Nature, vol. 407(6802), pages 321-326, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:407:y:2000:i:6802:d:10.1038_35030000
    DOI: 10.1038/35030000
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    Cited by:

    1. Meral Yilmaz & Ömür Baysal & Ragip Soner Sīlme, 2021. "The effect of a seed coating with Origanum vulgare essential oil on Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis," Plant Protection Science, Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences, vol. 57(3), pages 217-225.
    2. Li Ma & Lingjun Sun & Yinshan Guo & Hong Lin & Zhendong Liu & Kun Li & Xiuwu Guo, 2020. "Transcriptome analysis of table grapes (Vitis vinifera L.) identified a gene network module associated with berry firmness," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(8), pages 1-15, August.
    3. Heqiang Lou & Lili Song & Xiaolong Li & Hailing Zi & Weijie Chen & Yadi Gao & Shan Zheng & Zhangjun Fei & Xuepeng Sun & Jiasheng Wu, 2023. "The Torreya grandis genome illuminates the origin and evolution of gymnosperm-specific sciadonic acid biosynthesis," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-15, December.
    4. Xing Guo & Fang Wang & Dongming Fang & Qiongqiong Lin & Sunil Kumar Sahu & Liuming Luo & Jiani Li & Yewen Chen & Shanshan Dong & Sisi Chen & Yang Liu & Shixiao Luo & Yalong Guo & Huan Liu, 2023. "The genome of Acorus deciphers insights into early monocot evolution," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-15, December.

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