Arabinogalactan proteins in root and pollen-tube cells: distribution and functional aspects

Eric Nguema-Ona (1) , Sylvia Coimbra (2) , Maïté Vicré-Gibouin (1) , Jean-Claude Mollet (1) , Azeddine Driouich (1)

1 Glyco-MEV - Laboratoire de Glycobiologie et Matrice Extracellulaire Végétale
2 Universidade do Porto = University of Porto

Arabinogalactan proteins (AGPs) are complex proteoglycans of the cell wall found in the entire plant kingdom and in almost all plant organs. AGPs encompass a large group of heavily glycosylated cellwall proteins which share common features, including the presence of glycan chains especially enriched in arabinose and galactose and a protein backbone particularly rich in hydroxyproline residues. However, AGPs also exhibit strong heterogeneities among their members in various plant species. AGP ubiquity in plants suggests these proteoglycans are fundamental players for plant survival and development. Scope In this review, we first present an overview of current knowledge and specific features of AGPs. A section devoted to major tools used to study AGPs is also presented. We then discuss the distribution of AGPs as well as various aspects of their functional properties in root tissues and pollen tubes. This review also suggests novel directions of research on the role of AGPs in the biology of roots and pollen tubes.

Domains: Polymers; Plant breeding; Biochemistry [q-bio.BM]; Molecular biology; Genomics [q-bio.GN]; Molecular Networks [q-bio.MN]; Phytopathology and phytopharmacy; Biotechnology; Gametogenesis; Subcellular Processes [q-bio.SC]; Cell Behavior [q-bio.CB]

Eric Nguema-Ona, Sylvia Coimbra, Maïté Vicré-Gibouin, Jean-Claude Mollet, Azeddine Driouich. Arabinogalactan proteins in root and pollen-tube cells: distribution and functional aspects. Annals of Botany, 2012, 110 (2), pp.383 - 404. ⟨10.1093/aob/mcs143⟩. ⟨hal-01844523⟩