A xyloglucan endotransglycosylase/hydrolase1, VrXTH1, is associated with cell elongation in mungbean hypocotyls

Abstract

Xyloglucan endotransglucosylase/hydrolases (XTHs) are thought to be involved in various aspects of plant development by modifying the structure of xyloglucan cross-links. To address one of the roles of XTHs in plant growth, we identified an XTH, VrXTH1, in the mungbean through a differential reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. The deduced amino acid sequence of VrXTH1 shows high similarity to other XTHs. In addition, a signal peptide consisting of 17 amino acids is found at the N-terminus. The gene expression of VrXTH1 was differentially regulated in tissues and was higher in hypocotyls and stems than it was in other tissues. The steady state level of VrXTH1 transcripts was closely related to the elongation regions of hypocotyls. Notably, in the elongation region of hypocotyls, most VrXTH1 mRNAs were limited to the epidermis and to some layers of the cortex that act as growth-limiting tissue. Growth-promoting hormones, such as auxin and brassinolide, strongly enhanced mRNA accumulation of VrXTH1. However, abscisic acid, a hormone which is antagonistic to auxin, acted as a downregulator. Overall, VrXTH1 seems to play a role in plant growth at the gene level and, thus, by possibly altering cell wall morphogenesis in mungbean hypocotyls.