Arabinogalactan proteins in root and pollen-tube cells: distribution and functional aspects.
BACKGROUND
Arabinogalactan proteins (AGPs) are complex proteoglycans of the cell wall found in the entire plant kingdom and in almost all plant organs. AGPs encompass a large group of heavily glycosylated cell-wall proteins which share common features, including the presence of glycan chains especially enriched in arabinose and galactose and a protein backbone particularly rich in hydroxyproline residues. However, AGPs also exhibit strong heterogeneities among their members in various plant species. AGP ubiquity in plants suggests these proteoglycans are fundamental players for plant survival and development.


METHODS
In this review, we first present an overview of current knowledge and specific features of AGPs. A section devoted to major tools used to study AGPs is also presented. We then discuss the distribution of AGPs as well as various aspects of their functional properties in root tissues and pollen tubes. This review also suggests novel directions of research on the role of AGPs in the biology of roots and pollen tubes.
Laboratoire Glycobiologie et Matrice Extracellulaire Végétale (Glyco-MEV), Grand Réseau de Recherche VASI de Haute Normandie, PRES Normandie Université, Université de Rouen, 76821 Mont Saint Aignan Cedex, France.
Eric
E
Nguema-Ona
Sílvia
S
Coimbra
Maïté
M
Vicré-Gibouin
Jean-Claude
JC
Mollet
Azeddine
A
Driouich
D002473:Cell Wall / Q000378:metabolism*; D009088:Mucoproteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism*; D010944:Plants / Q000378:metabolism*; D053205:Pollen Tube / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism*; D014018:Tissue Distribution
D009088:Mucoproteins; D010940:Plant Proteins; C006619:arabinogalactan proteins