アポプラスト内の無機元素の動きと細胞壁の働き(<特集>情報処理システムとしての植物細胞壁)

抄録

Minerals play important roles in plant cell wall. Among the components of cell walls, pectin is most important in terms of interaction with minerals. Calcium(Ca) and boron(B) are essential elements for plants. Ca and B binding to homogalacturonan (HG) and rhamnogalacturonan-II (RG-II) domains of pectin, respectively, affects physical and chemical properties of the cell wall through formation of pectic network in primary cell walls, thereby regulating cell growth and differentiation. For Ca and B to exert their functions in the cell wall, they have to be transported from soil through roots and properly localized within tissues. The present article reviews recent advances in molecular mechanisms underlying the pectin synthesis and Ca and B transport for cell wall binding, which is required for normal growth and development in plants. Possible function of pectin as a signal molecule and feedback regulation for cell wall integrity are also discussed.