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This work was supported by grants PID2020-120364GA-I00, PID2021-124942OB-I00, and TED2021-131392A-I00 funded by Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities (MICIU/AEI/10.13039/501100011033/) and by the 'European Union NextGenerationEU/PRTR'. MFR was contracted by the PhD training programme (grant PRE2021-097051) funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033/. ALG and DR were recipients of Maria Zambrano and Margarita Salas postdoctoral fellowships, respectively, funded by the 'European Union NextGenerationEU/PRTR'.

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Cell walls: a comparative view of the composition of cell surfaces of plants, algae, and microorganisms

Publicated to:Journal Of Experimental Botany. - 2025-02-10 (), DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erae512

Authors: Fuertes-Rabanal, Maria; Rebaque, Diego; Largo-Gosens, Asier; Encina, Antonio; Melida, Hugo

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Abstract

While evolutionary studies indicate that the most ancient groups of organisms on Earth likely descended from a common wall-less ancestor, contemporary organisms lacking a carbohydrate-rich cell surface are exceedingly rare. By developing a cell wall to cover the plasma membrane, cells were able to withstand higher osmotic pressures, colonize new habitats, and develop complex multicellular structures. Thus, the cells of plants, algae, and microorganisms are covered by a cell wall, which can generally be defined as a highly complex structure whose main framework is usually composed of carbohydrates. Rather than static structures, they are highly dynamic and serve a multitude of functions that modulate vital cellular processes, such as growth and interactions with neighbouring cells or the surrounding environment. Thus, despite its vital importance for many groups of life, it is striking that there are few comprehensive studies comparing the cell wall composition of these groups. Thus, the aim of this review was to compare the cell walls of plants with those of algae and microorganisms, paying particular attention to their polysaccharide components. It should be highlighted that, despite the important differences in composition, we have also found numerous common aspects and functionalities. In this review, we compare the cell surfaces of plant, algae, and microbial cells, known as cell walls, which, despite being different, also share designs and functionalities.

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