A family of novel G-protein coupled receptor-type proteins involved in cell wall integrity sensing

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The plant cell wall is a complex network of carbohydrate-based polymers that controls overall plant morphogenesis. The constituents of the wall present essential components for several industries, including the food-, textile- and paper industries. In addition, the cell wall polymer cellulose, representing the most abundant biopolymer on earth, is estimated to become the main precursor for biofuels in the form of glucose-derived ethanol. Despite this, very little is known about how cellulose, and other cell wall polymers are produced, and how such production is controlled.Through a targeted reverse genetics screen we obtained several candidate genes associated with primary wall cellulose production. One of the genes corresponds to a putative seven transmembrane (7TM) protein with no known biological function. Curiously, several members of this protein family appear to have a role in cell wall integrity-, and sugar sensing. Preliminary results suggest that at least one of the 7TMs is a G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR). We therefore believe that the status of the cell wall architecture may be monitored via a GPCR mediated signaling scheme. We propose to functionally characterize the 7TM protein family, and to identify additional components associated with this signaling framework. The proposed research should lead to major advances in understanding the communication between the cell wall and the cell’s interior, and may result in the ability to manipulate the production of cell wall polymers for various industrial purposes.