1.2.3—
The Pectic Polysaccharides and Structural Protein

1.2.3.1—
Rhamnogalacturonans

The rhamnoglacturonans are long polymers of a -1,4-linked galacturonic acid interspersed with a few residues of 1,2-linked rhamnose (Aspinall, 1973). There is some evidence that the rhamnosyl residues may occur at definite positions in the galacturonan chain, giving a subunit structure to the rhamnogalacturonan polymer (Talmadge et al., 1973; see Fig. 1.4).

Figure 1.4
Pectic rhamnogalacturonan.
CPK models illustrate the repeating subunit of a rhamnogalacturonan,
with a short sequence of b -1,4-linked galactan attached to C₄  of one
of the rhamnosyl residues (Talmadge  et al.,  1973). The sequence
of the subunit is GalUA₈  Rha GalUA Rha GalUA₄ .

The diaxial conformation of the a -1,4 glycosidic linkages between galacturonic acid residues (see Fig. 1.1) causes the orientation of adjacent rings to be twisted. Thus, the galacturonan polymer forms a tight, stiff, rod-like helix with three residues per turn (Rees & Wight, 1971; Fig. 1.4). The insertion of 1,2-linked rhamnosyl residues in the galacturonan chain creates 'kinks' or right angle bends.

Divalent cations, particularly calcium, form complexes with the carboxyl and hydroxyl groups of galacturonic acid residues in the polymer. Complex formation of this type occurs primarily between adjacent residues in a galacturonan polymer, but could serve to create ionic ligand bridges between adjacent galacturonan chains.

1.2.3.2—
Arabinogalactans

Two distinct types of arabinogalactans are known to occur in plant cell walls (Aspinall, 1973). The first type has a b -1,4-linked galactan backbone with

highly branched arabinose side chains. The second type has a b -1,3-linked galactan backbone with many short side chains containing galactose and arabinose.

1.2.3.3—
Structural Protein

Primary cells walls (i.e. the type of walls characteristic of actively growing cells) contain a structural protein component. While the structural protein of these walls has not yet been isolated as an intact molecule, the analysis of peptide fragments from the primary walls of dicotyledonous plants has revealed several interesting characteristics (Lamport, 1970; Lamport et al., 1973). This structural protein contains over 25% hydroxyproline, which is an unusual amino acid known to break the continuity of a -helical structures. In animals, hydroxyproline occurs almost exclusively in the proteins of connective tissue (collagen and gelatin). Several tryptic peptides of the structural protein have been isolated,

Figure 1.5
Interconnections between cell wall components.
Schematic representation of the polymeric components of
sycamore primary cell walls and their interconnections (Keegstra  et al.,
1973). Hemicellulosic xyloglucan polymers are cocrystalized with cellulosic
glucan chains on the surface of the (two) microfibrils. The reducing ends of some
—but not all—of the xyloglucan chains are glycosidically attached to some—but not
all—of the b -1,4-linked (arabino) galactan side chains of the rhamnogalacturonan polymers.
The rhamnogalacturonan polymers and the structural protein are interconnected by 1,3-linked
(arabino) galactan bridges. Arrowheads indicate the reducing ends of polysaccharide chains.

and all appear to contain the sequence Ser-Hyp₄ . Arabinose tetrasaccharides are glycosidically linked to virtually all of the hydroxyproline residues in the protein. In addition, many of the serine residues are glycosylated with galactose. As a result of this extensive glycosylation, the structural protein is very resistant to degradation by proteases, and is likely to have an extended, rod-like shape.