Studies on regulatory mechanisms of cell-wall related genes involved in stem growth in plants.

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Stem growth in plants is ultimately regulated through optimization of the capabilities of both “extension" and “support" of individual cells within the stem via construction and restructuring of the cell wall thereof. The mechanisms governing this optimization process of the two capabilities for the stem growth still remain elusive. In this study we focused on two cell-wall related gene families, XTH encoding xyloglucan endo transglucosylase/hydrolase and PME encoding pectin-methylesterase. We found that rice OsXTH19 gene is capable of hydrolyzing xyloglucan in rice and is a candidate for cell-wall loosening agent in rice cell wall. We demonstrated that Arabidopsis PME35 gene is required for demethylesterification of pectin in the primary cell walls of the stem, and is involved in the regulation of mechanical support of the inflorescent stem of Arabidopsis. With respect to factors governing the regulation of transcription of these cell-wall related genes are now under investigation.