[Science] Cell-cell adhesion in plant grafting is facilitated by β-1,4-glucanases

Fig. 3 Cell wall modification involved in Nicotiana interfamily grafting.


Fig. 4 Glycosyl hydrolase 9B3 is essential for graft wound healing in plants.


[Science (2020) 369:698-702]

Abstract

Plant grafting is conducted for fruit and vegetable propagation, whereby a piece of living tissue is attached to another through cell-cell adhesion. However, graft compatibility limits combinations to closely related species, and the mechanism is poorly understood. We found that Nicotiana is capable of graft adhesion with a diverse range of angiosperms. Comparative transcriptomic analyses on graft combinations indicated that a subclade of β-1,4-glucanases secreted into the extracellular region facilitates cell wall reconstruction near the graft interface. Grafting was promoted by overexpression of the β-1,4-glucanase. Using Nicotianastem as an interscion, we produced tomato fruits on rootstocks from other plant families. These findings demonstrate that the process of cell-cell adhesion is a potential target to enhance plant grafting techniques.