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Cut
MAT
AGP
ECB
ECB
Figure 4.4 Composite model to demonstrate the potential variety of roles played by the ECM in
signalling. Components of the matrix (MAT) may be a source of chemical signals, as well as acting as
physical connections between neighbouring cells. Such physical connections could transduce force
between spatially separated ECM/cytosolic bridges (ECB). AGPs might also act as a source of
chemical signals. The flux of signals within the ECM might be controlled by the architecture of the
matrix as well as by the structure of the cuticle (cut).
source of signals as well as a means of signal perception of modification is highly
attractive (Fig. 4.4). The large body of evidence from the animal field clearly shows
how the ECM of cells can influence growth and differentiation of groups of cells
within the matrix. In plants, despite often intensive and widespread investigation,
the topic is still somewhat unclear. The most promising lines of evidence at present
lead from the recent findings on AGPs and their potential interaction and process-
ing by chitinase-like enzymes. Significant progress in this area can be expected.
With respect to oligosaccharides, although a role in defence signalling is accepted,
a role in endogenous developmental programs and growth processes remains de-
batable. Finally, non-chemical-based signalling systems (i.e. biophysical) remain
on the fringes but provide a number of challenging ideas as to the interpretation of
biological events.
Note added in proof. The recent finding that the proteoglycan xylogen mediates
vascular differentiation provides direct evidence of the importance of the plant ECM
in differentiation (Motose et al. , 2004).
Acknowledgements
The author was supported during part of this work by a START Fellowship from
the Swiss National Science Foundation.
References
Aldington, S. & Fry, S.C. (1993) Oligosaccharins. Adv. Bot. Res. , 19 , 1-101.
Anderson, C.M., Wagner, T.A., Perret, M., He, Z.-H., He, D. & Kohorn, B.D. (2001) WAKS: cell wall-
associated kinases linking the cytoplasm to the extracellular matrix. Plant Mol. Biol. , 47 , 197-206.
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