Recombinant Arabidopsis thaliana Putative UDP-glucuronate:xylan alpha-glucuronosyltransferase 4 (GUX4) is an enzyme involved in the synthesis of xylan, a major component of plant cell walls. Xylan is crucial for plant structure and function, particularly in secondary cell walls. GUX4 belongs to the Glycosyltransferase Family 8 and plays a role in adding glucuronic acid substitutions to the xylan backbone, which is essential for the structural integrity and functionality of plant cell walls.
GUX4 is one of several enzymes responsible for modifying xylan by adding glucuronic acid residues. This process is vital for the proper assembly and function of plant cell walls. The enzyme works by transferring glucuronic acid from UDP-glucuronic acid to specific xylose residues on the xylan backbone. This modification affects the physical properties of xylan and its interactions with other cell wall components.
Research on GUX4 and related enzymes has highlighted their importance in plant cell wall biosynthesis. Studies have shown that mutations or alterations in these enzymes can affect plant growth and cell wall composition. For example, mutations in GUX1 and GUX2 have been shown to significantly reduce the glucuronic acid content in xylan, impacting plant development .
| Enzyme | Localization | Substrate Specificity | Activity |
|---|---|---|---|
| GUX1 | Golgi | Xylohexaose | High |
| GUX2 | Golgi | Xylohexaose | High |
| GUX4 | Golgi | Xylohexaose | Active |
KEGG: ath:AT1G54940
STRING: 3702.AT1G54940.1