Formation of rhamnogalacturonan II-borate dimer in pectin determines cell wall thickness of pumpkin tissue

Boron (B) deficiency results in inhibition of pumpkin (Cucurbia moschata Duchesne) growth that is accompanied by swelling of the cell walls. Monomeric rhamnogalacturonan II (mRG-II) accounted for 80% to 90% of the total RG-II in B-deficient walls, whereas the borate ester cross-linked RG-II dimer (dRG-II-B) accounted for more than 80% of the RG-II in control plants. The results of glycosyl residue and glycosyl linkage composition analyses of the RG-II from control and B-deficient plants were similar. Thus, B deficiency does not alter the primary structure of RG-II. The addition of B-10-enriched boric acid to B-deficient plants resulted within 5 h in the conversion of mRG-II to dRG-II-B-10. The wall thickness of the B-10-treated plants and control plants was similar. The formation and possible functions of a borate ester cross-linked RG-II in the cell walls are discussed.