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Entry URI http://metadb.riken.jp/db/SciNetS_ria224i/cria224u4ria224u18165329i
Entry name Dean Gillian H et al. 2007 Dec. Plant Cell 19(12):4007-21.
Title The Arabidopsis MUM2 gene encodes a beta-galactosidase required for the production of seed coat mucilage with correct hydration properties.
Authors Carpita Nicholas C|Dean Gillian H|Haughn George W|Huang Jun|Hwang Yeen Ting|Mansfield Shawn D|McCann Maureen C|Tewari Jagdish|Western Tamara L|Young Diana S|Zheng Huanquan
Abstract Seed coat development in Arabidopsis thaliana involves a complex pathway where cells of the outer integument differentiate into a highly specialized cell type after fertilization. One aspect of this developmental process involves the secretion of a large amount of pectinaceous mucilage into the apoplast. When the mature seed coat is exposed to water, this mucilage expands to break the primary cell wall and encapsulate the seed. The mucilage-modified2 (mum2) mutant is characterized by a failure to extrude mucilage on hydration, although mucilage is produced as normal during development. The defect in mum2 appears to reside in the mucilage itself, as mucilage fails to expand even when the barrier of the primary cell wall is removed. We have cloned the MUM2 gene and expressed recombinant MUM2 protein, which has beta-galactosidase activity. Biochemical analysis of the mum2 mucilage reveals alterations in pectins that are consistent with a defect in beta-galactosidase activity, and we have demonstrated that MUM2 is localized to the cell wall. We propose that MUM2 is involved in modifying mucilage to allow it to expand upon hydration, establishing a link between the galactosyl side-chain structure of pectin and its physical properties.
Pubmed ID 18165329
Journal The Plant cell
Volume 19
Issue 12
Pages 4007-21
Publication date 2007 Dec
Num of phenotype gene 1