Table 1.

Definition of key terms related to cell wall remodeling. .

Term	Definition	References
Cell wall remodeling	Controlled modification, rearrangement, degradation or/and reconstruction of the cell wall in both growing and mature cells in response to various cues, including abiotic and biotic stress, or developmental cues.	(Barnes and Anderson, 2018; Fradera-Soler et al., 2022)
Cell wall stiffening	A process of making the cell wall rigid, orchestrated by laccases- and peroxidases-generated ROS (oxygen radicals, ·OH), and/or demethylesterification of pectic homogalacturonans (HGs) which culminates in Ca2+ crosslinking of HGs to form Ca2+–pectate cross-linked complexes.	(Vanholme et al., 2010; Peaucelle et al., 2011; Hoffmann et al., 2020)
Cell wall loosening	The process of relaxation of turgor-induced cell wall tension, aided by the actions of cell wall proteins such as XTHs, XETs, β-glucanases and expansins as they hydrolize cell wall polysaccharide substrates in a pH-dependent manner, permitting creep or/and turgor-driven cell enlargement.	(Cosgrove, 2000; Cosgrove, 2016a; Cosgrove, 2018; Zhang et al., 2019)
Creep	Irreversible time-dependent extension of the cell wall after it has been subjected to a certain level of strain.	(Cosgrove, 2016a; Cosgrove, 2018; Zhang et al., 2019)
Demethylesterification (of pectin)	Modification of pectin, catalysed by pectin methylesterases, which involves the removal of methyl esters from the d-GalA backbone of pectic HGs, often resulting in Ca2+ crosslinking of HGs to form a pectate gel matrix and increased cell wall stiffness.	(Peaucelle et al., 2011; Hongo et al., 2012; Wu et al., 2018)
Elasticity modulus (ϵ)	An index that measures the cell wall's stress/strain ratio, where strain is proportional to stress and is fully and immediately reversible upon reduction of stress. It measures the cell wall`s unique ability to expand without breaking or weakening.	(Cosgrove, 2016a; Cosgrove, 2016b)
Lignification	Involves the deposition of lignin, phenolic polymers, in apoplastic cell wall domains, rendering them mechanically strong, firm, and hydrophobic.	(Vanholme et al., 2010)