Analysis of cell-wall polymers during cotton fiber development

Abstract

Abstract.Although the fibers of cotton (Gossypium hirsuture L.) are single cells with a secondary wall composed primarily of cellulose, the cell-wall polymers of the fibers are technically difficult to characterize with respect to molecular weights. This limitation hinders understanding how the fiber wall composition changes during development, particularly with respect to genotypic variations, and how the molecular composition is related to physical properties. We analyzed cell-wall polymers from cotton fibers (cultivar, Texas Marker-l) at several developmental stages (8-60 days post-anthesis; DPA) by gel-permeation chromatography of components soluble in dimethyl acetamide and lithium chloride. This procedure solubilizes fiber cell-wall components directly without prior extraction or derivatization, processes that could lead to degradation of high-molecular-weight components. Cellwall polymers from fibers at primary cell-wall stages had lower molecular weights than the cellulose from fibers at the secondary wall stages; however, the high-molecularweight cellulose characteristic of mature cotton was detected as early as 8 DPA. High-molecular-weight material decreased during the period of 10-18 DPA with concomitant increase in lower-molecular-weight wall components, possibly indicating hydrolysis during the later stages of elongation.

Changes in the Sugar Composition and Molecular Mass Distribution of Matrix Polysaccharides during Cotton Fiber Development

“…The molecular masses of matrix polysaccharides in cell walls of rapidly growing tissues, such as auxin-treated stem segments, are lower than in those of slowly growing ones (Nishitani and Masuda 1981, Wakabayashi et al 1991, Hoson et al 1991. Timpa and Triplett (1993) reported the molecular mass distribution of whole cotton fiber cell walls solubilized with dimethyl acetamide and lithium chloride. On the other hand, Gokani and Thaker (2000) measured the amounts of low and high molecular mass xyloglucans, extracted with 1 M and 4 M KOH, respectively, in cotton fiber cell walls.…”

Sucrose Synthase Localization during Initiation of Seed Development and Trichome Differentiation in Cotton Ovules

“…therein). In fiber cells themselves, final dry weight can be attributed to 95% cellulose (Timpa and Triplett, 1993). Earlier in fiber development, when elongation is most rapid, cellulose content is closer to 35 to 50%, with pectin and hemicellulose making up much of the difference (Meinert and Delmer, 1977).…”

“…Trichomes within a given boll share a precise synchrony of development and homogeneity during growth (Ryser, 1985). In addition, the cotton fiber has proved to be an excellent model system for the study of cell growth and cellulose biosynthesis (Meinert and Delmer, 1977;Delmer, 1987;Timpa and Triplett, 1993;Delmer and Amor, 1995). Trichome cell-wall production represents a substantial portion of overall seed growth (Hendrix, 1990, and refs.…”

Applications of Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy to Study Cotton Fibers

“…With respect to the amount of cellulose present during fiber development, it was reported that the secondary wall thickening and maturation stages are characterized by a dramatic increase in the amount of cellulose (Tokumoto et al, 2002). The primary cell wall was reported to contain between 35 and 50% cellulose (Timpa & Triplett 1993;Meinert & Delmer, 1977). However, the secondary cell wall is composed of nearly 100% cellulose (Haigler et al, 2005).…”

“…The composition of the cotton fiber cell wall exhibits a continuous change throughout the development of the fiber (Meinert & Delmer, 1977). Several studies have been focused on the analysis of the composition of the cell wall extracts (Tokumoto et al, 2002;Timpa & Triplett 1993;Meinert & Delmer 1977;Maltby et al, 1979;Huwyler et al, 1979, Gokani et al, 1998. However, limited research has been conducted on intact fibers.…”