The differences in cell wall composition in leaves and regenerating protoplasts of Beta vulgaris and Nicotiana tabacum

Cell wall composition in leaves and regenerating leaf-derived protoplasts was studied in Beta vulgaris L. and Nicotiana tabacum L. Several oligosaccharides that characterize arabinogalactan proteins (AGPs) and pectins were visualized in situ by a series of immunocytochemical reactions. The most conspicuous difference between the two species involved the expression of AGP epitopes that bind LM2 and MAC207 in only sugar beet cells; both epitopes being characterized by the presence of glucuronic acid (GlcA). Moreover, B. vulgaris leaves and protoplast-derived cells showed lower content of pectin side-chains bearing (1→4)-β-D-galactose residues as compared to N. tabacum.