title: The study of a monocotyledon abscission zone using microscopic, chemical, enzymatic and solid state 13C CP/MAS NMR analyses.
abstract: We have investigated distinguishing features in cells of the abscission zone of a monocotyledon fruit, the oil palm Elaeis guineensis. The cell walls of the abscission zone and the subtending mesocarp and pedicel have been analysed by light and transmission electron microscopy, by chemical methods and by solid state 13C CP/MAS NMR spectroscopy. Results show that these abscission zone cells have specific characteristics which include high levels of unmethylated pectin in the walls and an inducible (x35) polygalacturonase enzyme expression. Together these findings help to explain the localised precision of cell separation events.
authors.affiliation: Oxford Research Unit, Open University, UK.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Henderson
authors.forename: H A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Davies
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Heyes
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Osborne
mesh_terms: D004790:Enzyme Induction; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy / Q000379:methods*; D019684:Magnoliopsida / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D011096:Polygalacturonase / Q000096:biosynthesis
chemical_list: D011096:Polygalacturonase