The structure and function of glycoproteins synthesized during slime-polysaccharide production by membranes of the root-cap cells of maize (Zea mays).
The synthesis of the maize root slime polysaccharides was investigated by using [1-3H]-fucose as a marker for slime production. Three fractions were separated by centrifugation in a CsCl density gradient. Two of these were glycoproteins and occurred within the membranes of the cells of the root tip; the third was the slime polysaccharides. Radioactive pulse-chase experiments showed that the glycoproteins were precursors of the slime polysaccharides, and the carbohydrate portion of the glycoproteins had a similar composition to that of the free slime. The linkage between the protein and the carbohydrate of one of the glycoproteins was shown to be a xylose-threonine bond. It is postulated that the slime polysaccharides are synthesized and transported on proteins within the membrane system of the root tip.
D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism; D002499:Centrifugation, Density Gradient; D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D002621:Chemistry; D005643:Fucose / Q000378:metabolism; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D007930:Leucine / Q000378:metabolism; D010944:Plants / Q000378:metabolism*; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D003313:Zea mays / Q000378:metabolism
D006023:Glycoproteins; D011134:Polysaccharides; D005643:Fucose; D007930:Leucine; D005947:Glucose