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Overexpression of the carbohydrate binding module of strawberry expansin2 in Arabidopsis thaliana modifies plant growth and cell wall metabolism

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Abstract

Several cell wall enzymes are carbohydrate active enzymes that contain a putative Carbohydrate Binding Module (CBM) in their structures. The main function of these non-catalitic modules is to facilitate the interaction between the enzyme and its substrate. Expansins are non-hydrolytic proteins present in the cell wall, and their structure includes a CBM in the C-terminal that bind to cell wall polymers such as cellulose, hemicelluloses and pectins. We studied the ability of the Expansin2 CBM (CBMFaEXP2) from strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa, Duch) to modify the cell wall of Arabidopsis thaliana. Plants overexpressing CBMFaEXP2 were characterized phenotypically and biochemically. Transgenic plants were taller than wild type, possibly owing to a faster growth of the main stem. Cell walls of CBMFaEXP2-expressing plants were thicker and contained higher amount of pectins. Lower activity of a set of enzymes involved in cell wall degradation (PG, β-Gal, β-Xyl) was found, and the expression of the corresponding genes (AtPG, Atβ-Gal, Atβ-Xyl5) was reduced also. In addition, a decrease in the expression of two A. thaliana Expansin genes (AtEXP5 and AtEXP8) was observed. Transgenic plants were more resistant to Botrytis cinerea infection than wild type, possibly as a consequence of higher cell wall integrity. Our results support the hypothesis that the overexpression of a putative CBM is able to modify plant cell wall structure leading to modulation of wall loosening and plant growth. These findings might offer a tool to controlling physiological processes where cell wall disassembly is relevant, such as fruit softening.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Agencia Nacional de Promoción Científica y Tecnológica (ANPCyT), Universidad Nacional de La Plata (UNLP), Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM) and Ministerio de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación Productiva (MINCyT). Authors thank to José Luis Burgos (CIC Pcia. Bs. As, Argentina) for his valuable technical assistance.

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  1. Cristina F. Nardi

    Present address: Instituto de Ciencias Polares, Recursos Naturales y Ambiente, UNTDF Universidad Nacional de Tierra del Fuego, Onas 450 (9410) Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina

Authors and Affiliations

  1. IIB-INTECH (CONICET-UNSAM), Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas-Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús, Camino de Circunvalación Laguna, Km 8, (B7130IWA) Chascomús, Pcia, Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Cristina F. Nardi, Natalia M. Villarreal, Franco R. Rossi & Gustavo A. Martínez

  2. INFIVE (CONICET-UNLP). Instituto de Fisiología Vegetal, Diag. 113 y Calle 61, n°495 - C.c 327. (1900), La Plata, Argentina

    Santiago Martínez & Pedro M. Civello

  3. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata (UNLP), 47 y 115. (1900), La Plata, Argentina

    Gustavo A. Martínez & Pedro M. Civello

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  1. Cristina F. Nardi
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  2. Natalia M. Villarreal
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  3. Franco R. Rossi
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  4. Santiago Martínez
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  5. Gustavo A. Martínez
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  6. Pedro M. Civello
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Correspondence to Pedro M. Civello.

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Nardi, C.F., Villarreal, N.M., Rossi, F.R. et al. Overexpression of the carbohydrate binding module of strawberry expansin2 in Arabidopsis thaliana modifies plant growth and cell wall metabolism. Plant Mol Biol 88, 101–117 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11103-015-0311-4

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