The use of FTIR spectroscopy to monitor modifications in plant cell wall architecture caused by cellulose biosynthesis inhibitors

Abstract

Fourier Transform InfraRed (FTIR) spectroscopy is a powerful and rapid technique for analysing cell wall components and putative cross-links, which is able to non-destructively recognize polymers and functional groups and provide abundant information about their in muro organization. FTIR spectroscopy has been reported to be a useful tool for monitoring cell wall changes occurring in muro as a result of various factors, such as growth and development processes, mutations or biotic and abiotic stresses. This mini-review examines the use of FTIR spectroscopy in conjunction with multivariate analyses to monitor cell wall changes related to (1) the exposure of diverse plant materials to cellulose biosynthesis inhibitors (CBIs), and (2) the habituation/dehabituation of plant cell cultures to this kind of herbicides. The spectra analyses show differences not only regarding the inhibitor, but also regarding how long cells have been growing in its presence.

Figure 1

Cluster analysis of spectra from bean cells habituated to different herbicides. For clearer presentation of the results, each type of cell is represented by a different color. ○: non-habituated cells; : Low level of habituation to DCB (0.5 µM for up to 7 subcultures); : Intermediate level of habituation to DCB (0.5 µM with more than 7 subcultures, to 4 µM for the first subculture); ●: High level of habituation to DCB (4 µM with more than 1 subculture, to 12 µM); : Quinclorac-habituated cells (10–30 µM); : Isoxaben-habituated cells (0.05–0.3 µM).

Figure 2

Principal Component Analysis of FTIR spectra from bean cells habituated to different herbicides. ○: Non-habituated cells; : Low level of habituation to DCB; : Intermediate level of habituation to DCB; ●: High level of habituation to DCB; Quinclorac-habituated cells; : Isoxabenhabituated cells. Conditions of habituation are as described in the legend of Figure 1.

Figure 3

Loadings for PC1 and PC2 corresponding to Principal Component Analysis presented in Figure 2. — PC1; --- PC2. Arrowheads point to wavenumbers corresponding to pectins (), cellulose () and xyloglucan (■).