First published online April 10, 2003; 10.1105/tpc.010926
The Plant Cell, Vol. 15, 1170-1185,
May 2003, Copyright © 2003,
American Society of Plant Biologists
Cloning and Characterization of the WAX2 Gene of Arabidopsis Involved in Cuticle Membrane and Wax Production
Xinbo Chen,
S. Mark Goodwin,
Virginia L. Boroff,
Xionglun Liu and
Matthew A. Jenks1
Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907
1 To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail jenks{at}hort.purdue.edu; fax 765-494-0391
Insertional mutagenesis of Arabidopsis ecotype C24 was used to identify a novel mutant, designated wax2, that had alterations in both cuticle membrane and cuticular waxes. Arabidopsis mutants with altered cuticle membrane have not been reported previously. Compared with the wild type, the cuticle membrane of wax2 stems weighed 20.2% less, and when viewed using electron microscopy, it was 36.4% thicker, less opaque, and structurally disorganized. The total wax amount on wax2 leaves and stems was reduced by >78% and showed proportional deficiencies in the aldehydes, alkanes, secondary alcohols, and ketones, with increased acids, primary alcohols, and esters. Besides altered cuticle membranes, wax2 displayed postgenital fusion between aerial organs (especially in flower buds), reduced fertility under low humidity, increased epidermal permeability, and a reduction in stomatal index on adaxial and abaxial leaf surfaces. Thus, wax2 reveals a potential role for the cuticle as a suppressor of postgenital fusion and epidermal diffusion and as a mediator of both fertility and the development of epidermal architecture (via effects on stomatal index). The cloned WAX2 gene (verified by three independent allelic insertion mutants with identical phenotypes) codes for a predicted 632–amino acid integral membrane protein with a molecular mass of 72.3 kD and a theoretical pI of 8.78. WAX2 has six transmembrane domains, a His-rich diiron binding region at the N-terminal region, and a large soluble C-terminal domain. The N-terminal portion of WAX2 is homologous with members of the sterol desaturase family, whereas the C terminus of WAX2 is most similar to members of the short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase family. WAX2 has 32% identity to CER1, a protein required for wax production but not for cuticle membrane production. Based on these analyses, we predict that WAX2 has a metabolic function associated with both cuticle membrane and wax synthesis. These studies provide new insight into the genetics and biochemistry of plant cuticle production and elucidate new associations between the cuticle and diverse aspects of plant development.
This article has been cited by other articles:
|
|
|
|
 
S. Mintz-Oron, T. Mandel, I. Rogachev, L. Feldberg, O. Lotan, M. Yativ, Z. Wang, R. Jetter, I. Venger, A. Adato, et al.
Gene Expression and Metabolism in Tomato Fruit Surface Tissues
Plant Physiology,
June 1, 2008;
147(2):
823 - 851.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Y.-F. Guan, X.-Y. Huang, J. Zhu, J.-F. Gao, H.-X. Zhang, and Z.-N. Yang
RUPTURED POLLEN GRAIN1, a Member of the MtN3/saliva Gene Family, Is Crucial for Exine Pattern Formation and Cell Integrity of Microspores in Arabidopsis
Plant Physiology,
June 1, 2008;
147(2):
852 - 863.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
B. Luo, X.-Y. Xue, W.-L. Hu, L.-J. Wang, and X.-Y. Chen
An ABC Transporter Gene of Arabidopsis thaliana, AtWBC11, is Involved in Cuticle Development and Prevention of Organ Fusion
Plant Cell Physiol.,
December 1, 2007;
48(12):
1790 - 1802.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
D. Panikashvili, S. Savaldi-Goldstein, T. Mandel, T. Yifhar, R. B. Franke, R. Hofer, L. Schreiber, J. Chory, and A. Aharoni
The Arabidopsis DESPERADO/AtWBC11 Transporter Is Required for Cutin and Wax Secretion
Plant Physiology,
December 1, 2007;
145(4):
1345 - 1360.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
H. Ukitsu, T. Kuromori, K. Toyooka, Y. Goto, K. Matsuoka, E. Sakuradani, S. Shimizu, A. Kamiya, Y. Imura, M. Yuguchi, et al.
Cytological and Biochemical Analysis of COF1, an Arabidopsis Mutant of an ABC Transporter Gene
Plant Cell Physiol.,
November 1, 2007;
48(11):
1524 - 1533.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. Leide, U. Hildebrandt, K. Reussing, M. Riederer, and G. Vogg
The Developmental Pattern of Tomato Fruit Wax Accumulation and Its Impact on Cuticular Transpiration Barrier Properties: Effects of a Deficiency in a beta-Ketoacyl-Coenzyme A Synthase (LeCER6)
Plant Physiology,
July 1, 2007;
144(3):
1667 - 1679.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Y. Xiang, Y. Huang, and L. Xiong
Characterization of Stress-Responsive CIPK Genes in Rice for Stress Tolerance Improvement
Plant Physiology,
July 1, 2007;
144(3):
1416 - 1428.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
T. S. Hooker, P. Lam, H. Zheng, and L. Kunst
A Core Subunit of the RNA-Processing/Degrading Exosome Specifically Influences Cuticular Wax Biosynthesis in Arabidopsis
PLANT CELL,
March 1, 2007;
19(3):
904 - 913.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F. Beisson, Y. Li, G. Bonaventure, M. Pollard, and J. B. Ohlrogge
The Acyltransferase GPAT5 Is Required for the Synthesis of Suberin in Seed Coat and Root of Arabidopsis
PLANT CELL,
January 1, 2007;
19(1):
351 - 368.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
K.-H. Jung, M.-J. Han, D.-y. Lee, Y.-S. Lee, L. Schreiber, R. Franke, A. Faust, A. Yephremov, H. Saedler, Y.-W. Kim, et al.
Wax-deficient anther1 Is Involved in Cuticle and Wax Production in Rice Anther Walls and Is Required for Pollen Development
PLANT CELL,
November 1, 2006;
18(11):
3015 - 3032.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
O. Rowland, H. Zheng, S. R. Hepworth, P. Lam, R. Jetter, and L. Kunst
CER4 Encodes an Alcohol-Forming Fatty Acyl-Coenzyme A Reductase Involved in Cuticular Wax Production in Arabidopsis
Plant Physiology,
November 1, 2006;
142(3):
866 - 877.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
G. Kerstiens, L. Schreiber, and K. J. Lendzian
Quantification of cuticular permeability in genetically modified plants
J. Exp. Bot.,
August 1, 2006;
57(11):
2547 - 2552.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
S. Kurdyukov, A. Faust, C. Nawrath, S. Bar, D. Voisin, N. Efremova, R. Franke, L. Schreiber, H. Saedler, J.-P. Metraux, et al.
The Epidermis-Specific Extracellular BODYGUARD Controls Cuticle Development and Morphogenesis in Arabidopsis
PLANT CELL,
February 1, 2006;
18(2):
321 - 339.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
K. D. Cameron, M. A. Teece, and L. B. Smart
Increased Accumulation of Cuticular Wax and Expression of Lipid Transfer Protein in Response to Periodic Drying Events in Leaves of Tree Tobacco
Plant Physiology,
January 1, 2006;
140(1):
176 - 183.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
M. C. Suh, A. L. Samuels, R. Jetter, L. Kunst, M. Pollard, J. Ohlrogge, and F. Beisson
Cuticular Lipid Composition, Surface Structure, and Gene Expression in Arabidopsis Stem Epidermis
Plant Physiology,
December 1, 2005;
139(4):
1649 - 1665.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
X. Chen, S. M. Goodwin, X. Liu, X. Chen, R. A. Bressan, and M. A. Jenks
Mutation of the RESURRECTION1 Locus of Arabidopsis Reveals an Association of Cuticular Wax with Embryo Development
Plant Physiology,
October 1, 2005;
139(2):
909 - 919.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
N. Nakayama, J. M. Arroyo, J. Simorowski, B. May, R. Martienssen, and V. F. Irish
Gene Trap Lines Define Domains of Gene Regulation in Arabidopsis Petals and Stamens
PLANT CELL,
September 1, 2005;
17(9):
2486 - 2506.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
M. Sturaro, H. Hartings, E. Schmelzer, R. Velasco, F. Salamini, and M. Motto
Cloning and Characterization of GLOSSY1, a Maize Gene Involved in Cuticle Membrane and Wax Production
Plant Physiology,
May 1, 2005;
138(1):
478 - 489.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A. Aharoni, S. Dixit, R. Jetter, E. Thoenes, G. van Arkel, and A. Pereira
The SHINE Clade of AP2 Domain Transcription Factors Activates Wax Biosynthesis, Alters Cuticle Properties, and Confers Drought Tolerance when Overexpressed in Arabidopsis
PLANT CELL,
September 1, 2004;
16(9):
2463 - 2480.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
G. Vogg, S. Fischer, J. Leide, E. Emmanuel, R. Jetter, A. A. Levy, and M. Riederer
Tomato fruit cuticular waxes and their effects on transpiration barrier properties: functional characterization of a mutant deficient in a very-long-chain fatty acid {beta}-ketoacyl-CoA synthase
J. Exp. Bot.,
June 1, 2004;
55(401):
1401 - 1410.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
P. Broun, P. Poindexter, E. Osborne, C.-Z. Jiang, and J. L. Riechmann
WIN1, a transcriptional activator of epidermal wax accumulation in Arabidopsis
PNAS,
March 30, 2004;
101(13):
4706 - 4711.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. Schnurr, J. Shockey, and J. Browse
The Acyl-CoA Synthetase Encoded by LACS2 Is Essential for Normal Cuticle Development in Arabidopsis
PLANT CELL,
March 1, 2004;
16(3):
629 - 642.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
E. Zuther, S. Huang, J. Jelenska, H. Eilenberg, E. M. Arnold, X. Su, A. Sirikhachornkit, J. Podkowinski, A. Zilberstein, R. Haselkorn, et al.
Complex nested promoters control tissue-specific expression of acetyl-CoA carboxylase genes in wheat
PNAS,
February 3, 2004;
101(5):
1403 - 1408.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
