The Dynamics, Degradation, and Afterlives of Pectins: Influences on Cell Wall Assembly and Structure, Plant Development and Physiology, Agronomy, and Biotechnology

Pectins underpin the assembly, molecular architecture, and physical properties of plant cell walls and through their effects on cell growth and adhesion influence many aspects of plant development. They are some of the most dynamic components of plant cell walls, and pectin remodeling and degradation by pectin-modifying enzymes can drive developmental programming via physical effects on the cell wall and the generation of oligosaccharides that can act as signaling ligands. Here, we introduce pectin structure and synthesis and discuss pectin functions in plants. We highlight recent advances in understanding the structure–function relationships of pectin-modifying enzymes and their products and how these advances point toward new approaches to bridging key knowledge gaps and manipulating pectin dynamics to control plant development. Finally, we discuss how a deeper understanding of pectin dynamics might enable innovations in agronomy and biotechnology, unlocking new benefits from these ubiquitous but complex polysaccharides.