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Measuring In Vitro Extensibility of Growing Plant Cell Walls

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The Plant Cell Wall

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 715))

Abstract

This article summarizes the theory and practical aspects of measuring cell wall properties by four different extensometer techniques and how the results of these methods relate to the concept and ideal measurement of cell wall extensibility in the context of cell growth. These in vivo techniques are particularly useful for studies of the molecular basis of cell wall extension. Measurements of breaking strength, elastic compliance, and plastic compliance may be informative about changes in cell wall structure, whereas measurements of wall stress relaxation and creep are sensitive to both changes in wall structure and wall-loosening processes, such as those mediated by expansins and some lytic enzymes. A combination of methods is needed to obtain a broader view of cell wall behavior and properties connected with the concept of cell wall extensibility.

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Acknowledgements

This material is based upon work supported as part of The Center for Lignocellulose Structure and Formation, an Energy Frontier Research Center funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, Office of Basic Energy Sciences under Award Number DE-SC0001090. The research on cell wall creep was supported by Award number DE-FG02-84ER13179 from the Department of Energy Office of Basic Energy Sciences.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, Penn State University, University Park, PA, USA

    Daniel J. Cosgrove

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  1. Daniel J. Cosgrove
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Correspondence to Daniel J. Cosgrove .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. School of Natural Sciences, Dept. of Botany & Plant Science, National University of Ireland, Galway, University Road, Galway, Ireland

    Zoë A. Popper

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Cosgrove, D.J. (2011). Measuring In Vitro Extensibility of Growing Plant Cell Walls. In: Popper, Z. (eds) The Plant Cell Wall. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 715. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-61779-008-9_20

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-61779-008-9_20

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, Totowa, NJ

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-61779-007-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-61779-008-9

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