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Mannan transglycosylase: a novel enzyme activity in cell walls of higher plants

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Abstract

Mannan transglycosylase is a novel cell wall enzyme activity acting on mannan-based plant polysaccharides in primary cell walls of monocotyledons and dicotyledons. The enzyme activity was detected by its ability to transfer galactoglucomannan (GGM) polysaccharides to tritium-labelled GGM-derived oligosaccharides generating tritium-labelled GGM polysaccharides. Mannan transglycosylase was found in a range of plant species and tissues. High levels of the enzyme activity were present in flowers of some kiwifruit (Actinidia) species and in ripe tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) fruit. Low levels were detected in mature green tomato fruit and activity increased during tomato fruit ripening up to the red ripe stage. Essentially all activity was found in the tomato skin and outermost 2 mm of tissue. Mannan transglycosylase activity in tomato skin and outer pericarp is specific for mannan-based plant polysaccharides, including GGM, galactomannan, glucomannan and mannan. The exact structural requirements for valid acceptors remain to be defined. Nevertheless, a mannose residue at the second position of the sugar chain and the absence of a galactose substituent on the fourth residue (counting from the non-reducing end) appear to be minimal requirements. Mannan-based polysaccharides in the plant cell wall may have a role analogous to that of xyloglucans, introducing flexibility and forming growth-restraining networks with cellulose. Thus mannan transglycosylase and xyloglucan endotransglycosylase, the only other known transglycosylase activity in plant cell walls, may both be involved in remodelling and refining the cellulose framework in developmental processes throughout the life of a plant.

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Abbreviations

EBM :

Endo-β-mannanase

GGM :

galactoglucomannan

GGMO :

Galactoglucomannan-derived oligosaccharide

G 2 M 5 :

Di-galactosyl mannopentaitol

M 2 –M 5 :

Mannobiitol to mannopentaitol oligosaccharides

SK+OP :

Skin plus outer pericarp

XET :

Xyloglucan endotransglucosylase

XG :

Xyloglucan

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Acknowledgements

Thanks to Status Produce, Pukekohe, New Zealand, for their efforts and for generously supplying us with tomatoes. We also thank Elspeth MacRae for her support and Mark McNeilage for his help with the interpretation of the flower results. Our gratitude goes to Ross Atkinson, Ian Ferguson, Eric Koh and Matt Templeton for critically reviewing the manuscript. This work was funded by the NZ Foundation for Research, Science and Technology (C06X0006).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Mt. Albert Research Centre, The Horticulture and Food Research Institute of New Zealand, Private Bag 92 169, Auckland, New Zealand

    Roswitha Schröder, Teresa F. Wegrzyn & Karen M. Bolitho

  2. Nestlé Research Centre, Nestec Ltd., Vers-chez-les-Blanc, PO Box 44, 1000, Lausanne 26, Switzerland

    Robert J. Redgwell

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  1. Roswitha Schröder
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  2. Teresa F. Wegrzyn
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  3. Karen M. Bolitho
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  4. Robert J. Redgwell
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Correspondence to Roswitha Schröder.

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Schröder, R., Wegrzyn, T.F., Bolitho, K.M. et al. Mannan transglycosylase: a novel enzyme activity in cell walls of higher plants. Planta 219, 590–600 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00425-004-1274-x

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