The Role of Ethylene in Regulation of Pectin Modifying Enzymes and in Pectin Remodeling within Petunia axillaris Pistils
Research Mentor(s)
Prody, Gerry
Description
Pectin is the polysaccharide that cements plant cell walls together. During fertilization pectin is broken down to allow the pollen tube to grow through the pistil to the ovary. In this lab research was conducted to better understand the enzymes that are responsible for the breakdown of pectin during fertilization. Petunia axillaris pistils were subjected to ethylene treatments to simulate fertilization. Ethylene is the same plant hormone released upon exposure to pollen prior to fertilization. It is hypothesized that pectin methylesterase (PME) and pectin lyase (PL) are activated by the presence or absence of ethylene. Data was gathered regarding the activity level of PME and PL by utilizing size exclusion chromatography to analyze the alterations made by these enzymes to the pectin. It was observed that pistils treated with ethylene had a significant reduction in molar mass of pectin fragments as opposed to untreated pistils. Changes in esterification of the pectin were observed by ruthenium red staining. These findings supported the hypothesis that ethylene is responsible for the activation of (PME) and (PL). In the future more experiments regarding pectin break down will be done using tests to replicate the data that has been found along with UV-VIS testing.
Document Type
Event
Start Date
May 2018
End Date
May 2018
Department
Chemistry
Genre/Form
student projects, posters
Subjects – Topical (LCSH)
Protein engineering; Biotechnology; Enzymes--Synthesis
Type
Image
Rights
Copying of this document in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this document for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without the author’s written permission.
Language
English
Format
application/pdf
The Role of Ethylene in Regulation of Pectin Modifying Enzymes and in Pectin Remodeling within Petunia axillaris Pistils
Pectin is the polysaccharide that cements plant cell walls together. During fertilization pectin is broken down to allow the pollen tube to grow through the pistil to the ovary. In this lab research was conducted to better understand the enzymes that are responsible for the breakdown of pectin during fertilization. Petunia axillaris pistils were subjected to ethylene treatments to simulate fertilization. Ethylene is the same plant hormone released upon exposure to pollen prior to fertilization. It is hypothesized that pectin methylesterase (PME) and pectin lyase (PL) are activated by the presence or absence of ethylene. Data was gathered regarding the activity level of PME and PL by utilizing size exclusion chromatography to analyze the alterations made by these enzymes to the pectin. It was observed that pistils treated with ethylene had a significant reduction in molar mass of pectin fragments as opposed to untreated pistils. Changes in esterification of the pectin were observed by ruthenium red staining. These findings supported the hypothesis that ethylene is responsible for the activation of (PME) and (PL). In the future more experiments regarding pectin break down will be done using tests to replicate the data that has been found along with UV-VIS testing.