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On the cover: Pectins form a gel in the plant extracellular matrix that strengthens the cell wall and is critical for cell-cell adhesion. Arabidopsis seed coat mucilage is rich in pectin and has been used as a model to identify genes involved in pectin biosynthesis, including the E3 ubiquitin ligase FLYING SAUCER1 (FLY1). Kunieda et al. (pp. 308–317) have now characterized the FLY1 homolog, FLY2. They show that FLY1 and FLY2 function redundantly to regulate the degree of pectin methylesterification in seed mucilage.
The cover image shows a hydrated Arabidopsis seed stained with Calcoflour White M2R, which adheres to the cellulose of the epidermal cell walls and the mucilage cellulose extending from the seed surface. Image supplied by Tadashi Kunieda, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, Japan.
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