Studies on plant inhibitors of pectin modifying enzymes: polygalacturonase-inhibiting protein (PGIP) and pectin methylesterase inhibitor (PMEI)

Pectin of the plant cell wall is either degraded during microbial attacks or remodeled during the various phases of growth and development. We are studying two protein inhibitors of pectic enzymes: polygalacturonase inhibiting protein (PGIP) and pectin methylesterase inhibitor (PMEI). PGIP is specific for fungal polygalacturonases (PGs) and is involved in defense against phyopathogenic fungi by allowing the accumulation of elicitor active oligogalacturonides (OGs). PMEI is active against plant pectin methylesterase (PME) and likely involved in the regulation of the degree of methylation of the cell wall pectin during plant growth and development.