An Update on Xylan Synthesis

Plant cell walls are complex structural frameworks that affect cell shape and differentiation, and that protect the plant cell against environmental conditions (Scheller and Ulvskov, 2010). One of the major components of the wall is the hemicellulosic polysaccharide xylan, which is composed of a linear β-(1,4)-linked D-xylosyl (Xyl) backbone with various sidebranches. The latter include α-(1,2)-linked glucuronic acid (GlcAs), or α-(1,2)-linked 4-O-methyl-glucuronic acid residues (MeGlcA), and α-arabinofuranose (Araf) depending on tissues and species (Faik, 2010).