The Cutin Biopolymer Matrix

The positional sterile (ps) mutation affects cuticular transpiration and wax biosynthesis of tomato fruits

“…Cuticle thickness, ultrastructure and chemical composition can vary dramatically in a species-, organ-and tissue-specific manner (Jetter et al, 2000). Cutin is the major constituent of the cuticular membrane and is defined as a polymeric network of oxygenated C 16 and C 18 fatty acids crosslinked by ester and ether bonds (Herédia, 2003;Stark and Tian, 2006). Cuticular waxes are characterized mainly by complex mixtures of aliphatic compounds with different functional groups.…”

Plant cutin genesis: unanswered questions

“…Currently, it is thought that cutin monomers are probably glycerol derivatives. Nevertheless, the amount of glycerol identified in the cuticle of only a few species is low [52]. It remains to be determined whether current analytical techniques have failed to properly identify glycerol or whether there is a turnover of glycerol back to the cell.…”

Identification of acyltransferases required for cutin biosynthesis and production of cutin with suberin-like monomers

“…These lipids are organized into the cuticle, a complex hydrophobic layer that covers the epidermis of plant leaves and other aerial organs and therefore is one of the largest biological interfaces in nature. The framework of the cuticle layer is provided by cutin, a plant-specific polyester composed of omega-substituted fatty acids and glycerol monomers (1,4,5). This insoluble polyester matrix is embedded and covered with waxes, a mixture of fatty acid derivatives that is easily extractable in organic solvents and has thus been more amenable to study than cutin (2,6).…”