The Multifaceted Role of Pectin Methylesterase Inhibitors (PMEIs)
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Institute of Biology 1, Botany and Molecular Genetics, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany
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Bioeconomy Science Center (BioSC), Forschungszentrum Jülich, Wilhelm Johnen Straße, 52425 Jülich, Germany
3
Institute for Bio- and Geosciences (IBG-2: Plant Sciences), Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52428 Jülich, Germany
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2018, 19(10), 2878; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19102878
Received: 5 August 2018
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Revised: 4 September 2018
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Accepted: 5 September 2018
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Published: 21 September 2018
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Cell Wall Proteins and Development)
Plant cell walls are complex and dynamic structures that play important roles in growth and development, as well as in response to stresses. Pectin is a major polysaccharide of cell walls rich in galacturonic acid (GalA). Homogalacturonan (HG) is considered the most abundant pectic polymer in plant cell walls and is partially methylesterified at the C6 atom of galacturonic acid. Its degree (and pattern) of methylation (DM) has been shown to affect biomechanical properties of the cell wall by making pectin susceptible for enzymatic de-polymerization and enabling gel formation. Pectin methylesterases (PMEs) catalyze the removal of methyl-groups from the HG backbone and their activity is modulated by a family of proteinaceous inhibitors known as pectin methylesterase inhibitors (PMEIs). As such, the interplay between PME and PMEI can be considered as a determinant of cell adhesion, cell wall porosity and elasticity, as well as a source of signaling molecules released upon cell wall stress. This review aims to highlight recent updates in our understanding of the PMEI gene family, their regulation and structure, interaction with PMEs, as well as their function in response to stress and during development.
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Keywords:
pectin methylesterase inhibitor (PMEI), pectin; homogalacturonan (HG); cell wall properties; degree of methylesterification (DM); stress; development; applications
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MDPI and ACS Style
Wormit, A.; Usadel, B. The Multifaceted Role of Pectin Methylesterase Inhibitors (PMEIs). Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2018, 19, 2878. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19102878
AMA Style
Wormit A, Usadel B. The Multifaceted Role of Pectin Methylesterase Inhibitors (PMEIs). International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2018; 19(10):2878. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19102878
Chicago/Turabian StyleWormit, Alexandra, and Björn Usadel. 2018. "The Multifaceted Role of Pectin Methylesterase Inhibitors (PMEIs)" International Journal of Molecular Sciences 19, no. 10: 2878. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19102878
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