Characterization of cell-wall polymers from cotton ovule culture fiber cells by gel permeation chromatography

Summary Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum, Texas Marker-1) fiber cells originating from ovule culture have been analyzed by gel permeation chromatography of dimethyl acetamide/lithium chloride-soluble components and compared within planta-grown fibers. The profile of cell-wall polymer molecular weights indicated that fibers grown for 21 d in culture more closely resembled fibers growingin planta for 30 d post-anthesis than fully mature fibers. The weight average molecular weight was 3 400 000 and number average molecular weight of polymers from ovule culture fibers was 109 000. Analysis of the polymer weight fraction distribution revealed that ovule culture fibers were similar to 30 d post-anthesis immature fibers but lacked a low molecular weight (log M 3–4) polymer fraction. Assessment of the polymer branching frequency showed that ovule culture fibers were intermediate in branching between 30 d post-anthesis fiber and maturein planta fiber. In summary, polymers deposited in cell walls of ovule culture fibers appear to grossly mimic the polymers accumulated during normal fiber biogenesisin planta, yet subtle differences may explain why ovule culture fibers rarely reach their full genetic potential in length.