How does the plant extracellular matrix drive and regulate cell elongation? Recent advances have uncovered the central role of the plant cell wall in governing growth. Expanding cell walls are both rigid (to resist the internal turgor pressure) and plastic (to permit growth). Understanding these dual properties requires examining the composition and architecture of the cell wall during growth. The cell wall is composed of carbohydrates and proteins, whose dynamic interactions are thought to govern cell wall properties. Within the protein fraction, structural glycoproteins known as extensins (EXTs) are thought to contribute to cell wall properties and ultimately cell elongation. These moderately arabinosylated proteins have the ability to form intermolecular covalent bonds, building the extensin network in muro. Our work aims at understanding the mechanistic basis for extensins function during cell elongation. Using the growing Arabidopsis thaliana root hair as a cellular model, we are currently exploring classical EXTs and Leucine-Rich Repeat EXTs (LRXs) intermolecular networking properties and how these networks regulate cell elongation. We combine biochemical approaches, cell biology and genetics to unravel EXTs biochemical properties and functions within a given developmental context.

 

東京大学大学院理学系研究科・生物科学専攻・発生細胞生物学研究室

連絡先：奥田哲弘（24470）