AGP Glycosylation Dynamics: Hyp-GALT expression patterns in reproductive tissues of Arabidopsis
Diana Moreira (Portugal)1; André Pereira (Portugal)1; Sara Gomes (Portugal)1; Allan M. Showalter (United States)2; Sílvia Coimbra (Portugal)1; Ana Marta Pereira (Portugal)1;
1 - LAQV/REQUIMTE, Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto; 2 - Department of Environmental & Plant Biology, Ohio University;
Keywords: Arabinogalactan Proteins; Galactosyltransferases; Plant Reproduction;
Abstract Topics: Theme 4: Arabinogalactan Proteins
Type of Presentation: Poster

Abstract text: In angiosperms, during the reproductive process, cell walls play a pivotal role, especially Arabinogalactan-Proteins (AGPs) [1]. AGPs are highly glycosylated proteins decorated by arabinogalactan side chains representing 90% of the AGP molecule [2]. AGP glycosylation is initiated by a reaction catalysed by hydroxyproline-O-galactosyltransferases (Hyp-GALTs), specifically eight of them (GALT2-9), which add the first galactose to Hyp residues [3-5]. Five Hyp-GALTs (GALT2,5-9) were already described as essential for AGP functions in pollen development, ovule development, pollen-pistil interactions and seed morphology [4]. In this study, we obtained eight constructs for the development of a reporter line through the fusion of yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) with the promoter region of Hyp-GALT2-8. The expression patterns of eight Hyp-GALTs were analysed in reproductive tissues of Arabidopsis thaliana using developed reporter lines (GALT2:NLS3xYFP, GALT3:NLS3xYFP, GALT4:NLS3xYFP, GALT5:NLS3xYFP, GALT6:NLS3xYFP, GALT7:NLS3xYFP, GALT8:NLS3xYFP, and GALT9:NLS3xYFP) with Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy (CLSM). qPCR analyses confirmed the expression of Hyp-GALTs in different Arabidopsis tissues. All analysed Hyp-GALTs showed strong expression in reproductive tissues, including female organs (pistil, ovules, transmitting tract) and male gametophytes (pollen grains). Overall, this work reinforces the crucial importance of AGP carbohydrates in carrying out the biological functions of AGPs during the reproductive process.

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