The biophysical design of plant cuticles: an overview.

The outer surfaces of epidermal cell walls are impregnated with an extracellular matrix called the cuticle. This composite matrix provides several functions at the interface level that enable plants to thrive in different habitats and withstand adverse environmental conditions. The lipid polymer cutin, which is the main constituent of the plant cuticle, has some unique biophysical properties resulting from its composition and structure. This review summarizes the progress made towards understanding the biophysical significance of this biopolymer with special focus on its structural, thermal, biomechanical, and hydric properties and relationships. The physiological relevance of such biophysical properties is discussed in light of existing knowledge on the plant cuticle.

[1]  Lukas Schreiber,et al.  Transport barriers made of cutin, suberin and associated waxes. , 2010, Trends in plant science.

[2]  E. Domínguez,et al.  Self-assembly of supramolecular lipid nanoparticles in the formation of plant biopolyester cutin. , 2010, Molecular Biosystems.

[3]  Ilya Venger,et al.  Fruit-Surface Flavonoid Accumulation in Tomato Is Controlled by a SlMYB12-Regulated Transcriptional Network , 2009, PLoS genetics.

[4]  D. Kosma,et al.  The Impact of Water Deficiency on Leaf Cuticle Lipids of Arabidopsis1[W][OA] , 2009, Plant Physiology.

[5]  J. Rose,et al.  Cutin deficiency in the tomato fruit cuticle consistently affects resistance to microbial infection and biomechanical properties, but not transpirational water loss. , 2009, The Plant journal : for cell and molecular biology.

[6]  D. Kosma,et al.  Arabidopsis CER8 encodes LONG-CHAIN ACYL-COA SYNTHETASE 1 (LACS1) that has overlapping functions with LACS2 in plant wax and cutin synthesis. , 2009, The Plant journal : for cell and molecular biology.

[7]  E. Domínguez,et al.  Biomechanics of isolated tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) fruit cuticles during ripening: the role of flavonoids. , 2009, Functional plant biology : FPB.

[8]  M. Sansom,et al.  Chemical reactions in 2D: self-assembly and self-esterification of 9(10),16-dihydroxypalmitic acid on mica surface. , 2009, Langmuir : the ACS journal of surfaces and colloids.

[9]  L. Schreiber,et al.  Water and Solute Permeability of Plant Cuticles: Measurement and Data Analysis , 2009 .

[10]  V. Fernández,et al.  Uptake of Hydrophilic Solutes Through Plant Leaves: Current State of Knowledge and Perspectives of Foliar Fertilization , 2009 .

[11]  Maria Francesca Nonne,et al.  Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) , 2009 .

[12]  J. Garbow,et al.  NMR characterization of hydration and thermal stress in tomato fruit cuticles. , 2008, Phytochemistry.

[13]  A. Heredia,et al.  The Role of Hydroxyl Groups in the Self-Assembly of Long Chain Alkylhydroxyl Carboxylic Acids on Mica , 2008 .

[14]  J. Abadía,et al.  Leaf structural changes associated with iron deficiency chlorosis in field-grown pear and peach: physiological implications , 2008, Plant and Soil.

[15]  S N Gorb,et al.  Sexual dimorphism in the attachment ability of the Colorado potato beetle Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) to rough substrates. , 2008, Journal of insect physiology.

[16]  J. Ohlrogge,et al.  Building lipid barriers: biosynthesis of cutin and suberin. , 2008, Trends in plant science.

[17]  A. Heredia,et al.  Self-assembled polyhydroxy fatty acids vesicles: a mechanism for plant cutin synthesis. , 2008, BioEssays : news and reviews in molecular, cellular and developmental biology.

[18]  Z. Cerovic,et al.  Optical Properties of Plant Surfaces , 2007 .

[19]  C. Jeffree,et al.  The Fine Structure of the Plant Cuticle , 2007 .

[20]  M. Riederer.  Introduction: Biology of the Plant Cuticle , 2007 .

[21]  R. Stark,et al.  The Cutin Biopolymer Matrix , 2007 .

[22]  K J Niklas,et al.  The epidermal-growth-control theory of stem elongation: an old and a new perspective. , 2007, Journal of plant physiology.

[23]  Jesús Cuartero,et al.  Biomechanics of isolated tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) fruit cuticles: the role of the cutin matrix and polysaccharides. , 2007, Journal of experimental botany.

[24]  A. Heredia,et al.  Self-Assembly of Carboxylic Acids and Hydroxyl Derivatives on Mica. A Qualitative AFM Study , 2007 .

[25]  Joanne Chory,et al.  The epidermis both drives and restricts plant shoot growth , 2007, Nature.

[26]  M. Knoche,et al.  Gibberellins Increase Cuticle Deposition in Developing Tomato Fruit , 2007, Plant Growth Regulation.

[27]  Hendrik Bargel,et al.  Structure-function relationships of the plant cuticle and cuticular waxes - a smart material? , 2006, Functional plant biology : FPB.

[28]  G. Kerstiens.  Parameterization, comparison, and validation of models quantifying relative change of cuticular permeability with physicochemical properties of diffusants. , 2006, Journal of experimental botany.

[29]  Markus Riederer,et al.  Biology of the plant cuticle , 2006 .

[30]  L. Schreiber,et al.  Apoplastic polyesters in Arabidopsis surface tissues--a typical suberin and a particular cutin. , 2005, Phytochemistry.

[31]  E. Paoletti.  UV-B and Mediterranean forest species: direct effects and ecological consequences. , 2005, Environmental pollution.

[32]  P. Hatcher,et al.  Insights into the structure of cutin and cutan from Agave americana leaf cuticle using HRMAS NMR spectroscopy , 2005 .

[33]  E. Pfündel,et al.  Origins of non-linear and dissimilar relationships between epidermal UV absorbance and UV absorbance of extracted phenolics in leaves of grapevine and barley , 2005 .

[34]  A. Heredia,et al.  Relative humidity and temperature modify the mechanical properties of isolated tomato fruit cuticles. , 2005, American journal of botany.

[35]  C. Neinhuis,et al.  Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) fruit growth and ripening as related to the biomechanical properties of fruit skin and isolated cuticle. , 2005, Journal of experimental botany.

[36]  A. Boraston.  The interaction of carbohydrate-binding modules with insoluble non-crystalline cellulose is enthalpically driven. , 2005, The Biochemical journal.

[37]  J. Batteas,et al.  16 – Surface and interfacial studies of plant biopolymers , 2005 .

[38]  C. Neinhuis,et al.  Influence of Hydration and Temperature on the Rheological Properties of Plant Cuticles and Their Impact on Plant Organ Integrity , 2005, Journal of Plant Growth Regulation.

[39]  A. Heredia,et al.  Changes in the water binding characteristics of the cell walls from transgenic Nicotiana tabacum leaves with enhanced levels of peroxidase activity , 2004 .

[40]  A. Heredia,et al.  Molecular characterization of the plant biopolyester cutin by AFM and spectroscopic techniques. , 2004, Journal of structural biology.

[41]  P. Hatcher,et al.  Solid-state NMR characterization of pyrene-cuticular matter interactions. , 2004, Environmental science & technology.

[42]  C. Neinhuis,et al.  Altered Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) Fruit Cuticle Biomechanics of a Pleiotropic Non Ripening Mutant , 2004, Journal of Plant Growth Regulation.

[43]  J. A. Bartsch,et al.  Biomechanics and anatomy of Lycopersicon esculentum fruit peels and enzyme-treated samples. , 2004, American journal of botany.

[44]  M. Knoche,et al.  Effect of Triton X-100 concentration on NAA penetration through the isolated tomato fruit cuticular membrane , 2004 .

[45]  A. Heredia,et al.  Phase transitions in the biopolyester cutin isolated from tomato fruit cuticles , 2004 .

[46]  K. Hasenstein,et al.  Thigmonasticity of thistle staminal filaments , 1993, Planta.

[47]  L. Schreiber,et al.  Phase transitions and thermal expansion coefficients of plant cuticles , 1990, Planta.

[48]  J. Schönherr,et al.  Water permeability of plant cuticles: The effect of temperature on diffusion of water , 1979, Planta.

[49]  J. Schönherr,et al.  Ion exchange properties of isolated tomato fruit cuticular membrane: Exchange capacity, nature of fixed charges and cation selectivity , 1973, Planta.

[50]  T. Lahaye.  Illuminating the molecular basis of gene-for-gene resistance; Arabidopsis thaliana RRS1-R and its interaction with Ralstonia solanacearum popP2. , 2004, Trends in plant science.

[51]  M. Knoche,et al.  Studies on water transport through the sweet cherry fruit surface: IX. Comparing permeability in water uptake and transpiration , 2004, Planta.

[52]  H. Gruler,et al.  Phase transitions in plant cuticles , 2004, Planta.

[53]  J. Schönherr,et al.  Water permeability of plant cuticles , 2004, Planta.

[54]  P. Hatcher,et al.  Evidence for cross-linking in tomato cutin using HR-MAS NMR spectroscopy. , 2003, Phytochemistry.

[55]  J. Hupka,et al.  SURFACE PROPERTIES OF BARLEY STRAW , 2003 .

[56]  A. Heredia,et al.  Biophysical and biochemical characteristics of cutin, a plant barrier biopolymer. , 2003, Biochimica et biophysica acta.

[57]  L. Schreiber,et al.  Glycerol and glyceryl esters of ω-hydroxyacids in cutins , 2002 .

[58]  M. Knoche,et al.  Studies on Water Transport through the Sweet Cherry Fruit Surface: V. Conductance for Water Uptake , 2002 .

[59]  A. H. Markhart,et al.  Flower developmental stage and organ sensitivity of bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) to elevated temperature , 2002 .

[60]  E. Domínguez,et al.  Water sorption-desorption in conifer cuticles: The role of lignin. , 2001, Physiologia plantarum.

[61]  R. Stark,et al.  NMR studies of molecular structure in fruit cuticle polyesters. , 2001, Phytochemistry.

[62]  D. S. Thompson.  Extensiometric determination of the rheological properties of the epidermis of growing tomato fruit. , 2001, Journal of experimental botany.

[63]  A. Heredia,et al.  Specific heat determination of plant barrier lipophilic components: biological implications. , 2001, Biochimica et biophysica acta.

[64]  P. Kolattukudy.  Polyesters in higher plants. , 2001, Advances in biochemical engineering/biotechnology.

[65]  J. Batteas,et al.  The influence of water on the nanomechanical behavior of the plant biopolyester cutin as studied by AFM and solid-state NMR. , 2000, Biophysical journal.

[66]  Eva Domínguez,et al.  Monitoring Biopolymers Present in Plant Cuticles by FT-IR Spectroscopy , 2000 .

[67]  E. Domínguez,et al.  Characterization and biosynthesis of non-degradable polymers in plant cuticles , 1999, Planta.

[68]  A. Heredia,et al.  Structure and dynamics of reconstituted cuticular waxes of grape berry cuticle (Vitis vinifera L.) , 1999 .

[69]  E. Domínguez,et al.  Water hydration in cutinized cell walls: a physico-chemical analysis. , 1999, Biochimica et biophysica acta.

[70]  A. Heredia,et al.  Molecular Dynamics Modellization and Simulation of Water Diffusion through Plant Cutin , 1999 .

[71]  A. Heredia,et al.  A study of the electrical behaviour of isolated tomato cuticular membranes and cutin by impedance spectroscopy measurements , 1998 .

[72]  A. Heredia,et al.  Electrokinetic parameters of ion transport across isolated pepper cuticular membranes , 1998 .

[73]  C. Neinhuis,et al.  Biomechanics of isolated plant cuticles , 1998 .

[74]  A. Heredia,et al.  The glassy state in isolated cuticles : differential scanning calorimetry of tomato fruit cuticular membranes , 1997 .

[75]  Peter J. Schaap,et al.  Molecular characterization of the , 1997 .

[76]  F. Guillain,et al.  Atomic force microscopy study of isolated ivy leaf cuticles observed directly and after embedding in Epon®. , 1996, The New phytologist.

[77]  G. Kerstiens.  Plant Cuticles-an Integrated Functional Approach , 1996 .

[78]  G. Kerstiens.  Signalling across the divide: a wider perspective of cuticular structure—function relationships , 1996 .

[79]  M. J. Bukovac,et al.  Rheological Properties of Enzymatically Isolated Tomato Fruit Cuticle , 1995, Plant physiology.

[80]  A. Heredia,et al.  Water permeability of isolated cuticular membranes: a structural analysis. , 1995, Archives of biochemistry and biophysics.

[81]  A. Heredia,et al.  A study of the hydration process of isolated cuticular membranes. , 1995, The New phytologist.

[82]  A. Heredia,et al.  Electrical conductivity of differently treated isolated cuticular membranes by impedance spectroscopy. , 1993, Archives of biochemistry and biophysics.

[83]  D J Cosgrove,et al.  Wall extensibility: its nature, measurement and relationship to plant cell growth. , 1993, The New phytologist.

[84]  L. Graham.  Origin of land plants , 1993 .

[85]  A. Heredia,et al.  Fourier transform IR study of enzymatically isolated tomato fruit cuticular membrane , 1992 .

[86]  Diffusion and Electric Mobility of Ions within Isolated Cuticles of Citrus aurantium: Steady-State and Equilibrium Values. , 1991, Plant physiology.

[87]  Park S. Nobel,et al.  Physicochemical and Environmental Plant Physiology , 1991 .

[88]  A. Heredia,et al.  A study of membrane potential across isolated fruit cuticles for NaCl and CaCl2 solutions. , 1991, Biochimica et biophysica acta.

[89]  M. Pineri,et al.  Quantitative determination of water sorption by plant cuticles , 1991 .

[90]  Ulrich Kutschera,et al.  Tissue stresses in growing plant organs , 1989 .

[91]  E. Baker,et al.  Phenolic constituents of tomato fruit cuticles , 1980 .

[92]  J. S. Henslow.  On the examination of a hybrid digitalis , 1831 .