Background

The plant cell wall is a dynamic and complex extracellular structure that surrounds all plant cells, providing mechanical support, determining cell shape, mediating intercellular communication, and regulating growth. It is primarily composed of cellulose microfibrils embedded in a matrix of hemicelluloses, pectins, proteins, and other polysaccharides [3]. Pectins are a diverse group of polysaccharides that are abundant in the middle lamella, as well as in the primary walls of dicots and nongraminaceous monocots. They play crucial roles in numerous biological processes contributing to cell–cell adhesion, cell wall porosity, hydration, and flexibility. Mutant plants with defects in pectin composition or modification often show developmental abnormalities, such as smaller rosette leaves, irregular organ formation, uneven cell expansion, and defects in pollen tube growth [1,4,5]. Rhamnogalacturonan-I (RG-I) is a major type of pectin characterized by a backbone of alternating rhamnose and galacturonic acid residues, often decorated with arabinan, galactan, and arabinogalactan side chains, that may also be modified by backbone acetylation (Figure 1).

Figure 1. Representative model structure of rhamnogalacturonan-I (RG-I) sidechains. The specific structure of RG-I side chains is not known and is representative. Monosaccharide symbols used in the representative schematic structure are taken from the Symbol Nomenclature for Glycans (SNFG) from the Consortium for Functional Glycomics.

Most research on pectin has focused on homogalacturonan (HG), while the structure and function of RG-I have remained poorly understood, especially in model species. Indeed, much of our knowledge of RG-I largely comes from non-model species, which limits genetic studies of its synthesis and biological functions. RG-I is highly diverse, varying in structure by tissue, species, and developmental stage [6], and its biosynthesis likely involves a multitude of enzymes with distinct characteristics. Arabidopsis has long served as a model for studying plant cell wall structure, biosynthesis, remodeling, and function [7,8]. Thus, foundational knowledge about the structural features of RG-I in Arabidopsis is necessary for designing future experiments to gain insights into its biosynthesis and roles in plant development.

To better understand the structure and function of RG-I, it is essential to isolate this polysaccharide in sufficient quantity and purity. Isolated RG-I can be analyzed for its monosaccharide composition, glycosyl linkages, and structural features, providing insights into its diversity and biological roles. Furthermore, purified RG-I serves as a valuable substrate for enzymatic studies, enabling the characterization of pectin-synthesizing [9] and pectin-degrading [10] enzymes and the investigation of cell wall remodeling processes. This makes the development of reliable isolation protocols a critical step for advancing both fundamental and applied plant cell wall research. Here, we present a detailed protocol for isolating RG-I from Arabidopsis rosette leaves. Our protocol comprises two main steps: solubilization of pectin using ammonium oxalate and the release of RG-I through cleavage of pectin with endo-polygalacturonase (EPG) (Graphical overview). The oxalate functions as a chelating agent, sequestering divalent cations and thereby solubilizing pectin that is stabilized in the cell wall through calcium-mediated cross-links. Other chelators, such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and 1,2-cyclohexylenedinitrilotetraacetic acid (CDTA), have also been employed for pectin extraction [11]. However, these compounds are difficult to remove by dialysis, which can interfere with downstream analyses. Following the solubilization step, pectin is digested with EPG, producing a mixture of RG-I, rhamnogalacturonan II (RG-II), and oligogalacturonides (OGAs), which can subsequently be separated by size-exclusion chromatography (SEC). Although this protocol is demonstrated using Arabidopsis rosette leaves, it has also been successfully applied to other Arabidopsis tissues as well as to various plant species [12,13].