Unique lignin modifications pattern the nucleation of silica in sorghum endodermis.

Journal of Experimental Botany
Nerya Zexer, Rivka Elbaum

Abstract

Silicon dioxide in the form of hydrated silica is a component of plant tissues that can constitute several percent by dry weight in certain taxa. Nonetheless, the mechanism of plant silica formation is mostly unknown. Silicon (Si) is taken up from the soil by roots in the form of monosilicic acid molecules. The silicic acid is carried in the xylem and subsequently polymerizes in target sites to silica. In roots of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor), silica aggregates form in an orderly pattern along the inner tangential cell walls of endodermis cells. Using Raman microspectroscopy, autofluorescence, and scanning electron microscopy, we investigated the structure and composition of developing aggregates in roots of sorghum seedlings. Putative silica aggregation loci were identified in roots grown under Si starvation. These micrometer-scale spots were constructed of tightly packed modified lignin, and nucleated trace concentrations of silicic acid. Substantial variation in cell wall autofluorescence between Si+ and Si- roots demonstrated the impact of Si on cell wall chemistry. We propose that in Si- roots, the modified lignin cross-linked into the cell wall and lost its ability to nucleate silica. In Si+ roots, silica polymerized on the ...Continue Reading

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Citations

Dec 3, 2020·Journal of Experimental Botany·Durgesh Kumar TripathiMarek Vaculik
Jun 3, 2020·Journal of Experimental Botany·Santosh KumarRivka Elbaum
Sep 25, 2021·Plant & Cell Physiology·S M ShivarajHumira Sonah

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Methods Mentioned

BETA
fluorescence
scanning electron microscopy
X-ray

Software Mentioned

WiRE3
ImageJ
Abrio

Related Concepts