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. 1975 Aug;56(2):307–312. doi: 10.1104/pp.56.2.307

Studies on the Secretion of Maize Root Cap Slime

II. Localization of Slime Production 1

Robert E Paull a, Russell L Jones a
PMCID: PMC541809  PMID: 16659292

Abstract

The distribution of fucose-containing polysaccharides in apical 1-cm sections of corn (Zea mays cv. SX-17) root tips was analyzed. Fucose-containing polysaccharides were localized predominantly in the apical 1 mm of the root, i.e., in the apical initials and root cap. An analysis of the distribution of incorporated radioactive label from l-fucose[3H] gave similar results. After a 2-hr incubation with fucose[3H], label was found principally in two components, namely a water-soluble slime fraction and hemicellulose. The incorporation of fucose into the water-soluble, ethanol-insoluble fraction was primarily in the apical 1 mm of the root, whereas incorporation into a water-insoluble, potassium hydroxide-soluble fraction was in the region 2 to 5 mm behind the root cap. Addition of sucrose to the incubation medium during fucose[3H] incorporation reduces label uptake but increases the amount of label in the fucose-rich secreted polysaccharide. The utility of fucose as a marker for the secreted polysaccharide was confirmed by demonstrating that no appreciable metabolism of this sugar occurs.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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