Xyloglucan

Xyloglucan is a hemicellulose that occurs in the primary cell wall of all vascular plants; however, all enzymes responsible for xyloglucan metabolism are found in Charophyceae algae. In many dicotyledonous plants, it is the most abundant hemicellulose in the primary cell wall. It binds to the surface of cellulose microfibrils and may link them together. Xyloglucan is the substrate of xyloglucan endotransglycosylase, which cuts and ligates xyloglucans, as a means of integrating new xyloglucans into the cell wall. It is also thought to be the substrate of alpha-expansin, which promotes cell wall enlargement. The metabolism of xyloglucans is the result of the concerted action of several enzymes and membrane transporters in the human gut.

Xyloglucan