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Incorporation of UDPglucose into cell wall glucans and lipids by intact cotton fibers

Journal Article · · Plant Physiol.; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1104/pp.81.2.464· OSTI ID:7188090

The (/sup 14/C) moiety from (/sup 3/H)UDP(/sup 14/C)glucose was incorporated by intact cotton fibers into hot water soluble, acetic-nitric reagent soluble and insoluble components, and chloroform-methanol soluble lipids; the (/sup 3/H)UDP moiety was not incorporated. The /sup 3/H-label can be exchanged rapidly with unlabeled substrate in a chase experiment. The cell wall apparent free space of cotton fibers was in the order of 30 picomoles per milligram of dry fibers; 25 picomoles per milligram easily exchanged and about 5 picomoles per milligram more tightly adsorbed. At 50 micromolar UDPglucose, 70% of the (/sup 14/C)glucose was found in the lipid fraction after both a short labeling period and chase. The percent of (/sup 14/C)glucose incorporated into total glucan increased within a 30-minute chase period. The data supports the concept that glucan synthesis, including cellulose, as well as the synthesis of steryl glucosides, acetylated steryl glucosides, and glucosyl-phosphoryl-polyprenol from externally supplied UDPglucose occurs at the plasma membrane-cell wall interface. The synthase enzymes for such synthesis must be part of this interfacial membrane system.

Research Organization:
Univ. of California, Riverside
OSTI ID:
7188090
Journal Information:
Plant Physiol.; (United States), Journal Name: Plant Physiol.; (United States) Vol. 81:2; ISSN PLPHA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English