Silicon and the Plant Extracellular Matrix

1Silicon (Si) occurs abundantly in the earth’s crust and it is considered a beneficial element for plants. Si-deprived plants are structurally weaker, more susceptible to infections and abiotic stresses. Si also enhances organogenesis and embryogenesis in in vitro-grown plants.

2The form of Si that is taken up by plants in soil waters is silicic acid, Si(OH)4, a very weak acid (pka >9.5). The entry of Si(OH)4 into the roots most likely takes place following water ( and references therein), via either an apoplastic or symplastic route. The symplastic route requires the presence of water channels (aquaporins belonging to the Nod26-like intrinsic proteins, NIPs); NIPs permeable to Si(OH)4 have been identified in different plants, e.g., Equisetum arvense, monocots and dicots. The selective permeability of aquaporins, which determines the resistance to Si(OH)4 movement, is responsible for its concentration within specific plant comparments. It was recently shown that a specific spacing of 108 amino acids between the NPA domains of NIP aquaporins determines Si permeability.

3Plants are typically classified into three main categories, i.e., Si-excluders, Si-intermediate types and Si-accumulators (Figure 1). To the first group belong plants of the order Equisetales, Poales, and Cyperales, which accumulate >4% Si (of shoot dry weight) in their tissues; plants showing >1% Si (between 2 and 4%, e.g., Cucurbitales and Urticales) are of the intermediate type; the Si-excluders show <0.5% Si.

4Si exerts positive effects on plants subjected to exogenous stresses, while the addition of Si to unstressed plants results in fewer changes, e.g., in gene expression. Nevertheless, a study on unstressed rice plants showed that Si improves crop yield via an alteration of the source-sink relationship, triggered by the remobilization of amino acids to sustain the increased nitrogen requirement of the grains. Si may therefore behave as a signaling factor and exerts its positive effects by redirecting the primary metabolism of plants.

5Si protects salt-stressed wheat seedlings by decreasing the concentration of Na+. Si likewise protects cucumber against ion toxicity caused by salt stress by improving the root hydraulic conductance and via an increase in polyamines (which block non-selective cation channels and inhibit the influx of Na+).

6Many thorough reviews have been published on the phytoprotective role of Si (e.g.,;; ) and on the mechanisms of biosilicification in plants, while no review has so far concentrated on the plant cell wall/Si binomium. In this minireview we fill this gap by focussing on the relationship Si/plant cell wall. More specifically we: (1) discuss the role of some cell wall components (polysaccharides and lignin) and proteins in templating SiO2 deposition (2) describe the direct effects of Si on plant cell walls, (3) illustrate the role of Si on cell wall-related processes, (4) describe the effects of Si on plant metabolism and (5) discuss the ways by which Si might exert its priming role in plants.

7Some reports linking SiO2 deposition with cell wall polysaccharides are available (vide infra), however, the molecular details explaining the cell wall polysaccharide-assisted biosilicification in plants are only fragmentary. The role of cell wall macromolecules (both polysaccharides and lignin) in templating biosilicification might be an entirely passive mechanism. The function of cell wall components might be that of sequestering otherwise cytotoxic silica particles formed by Si(OH)4 autocondensation: as recently discussed by, the two conditions to avoid cytotoxicity of silicification are (1) controlling the size of silica nanoparticles so that they remain below 5 nm and (2) the involvement of cellular components resistant to denaturation in the case of nanoparticles above 5 nm. Cell wall polysaccharides (as for instance the non-cellulosic ones, like callose, vide infra) might “soak up” small particles like a “sponge” and entrap them in a network hindering their growth to sizes above 5 nm. Other more recalcitrant components, like the macromolecule lignin, might be involved in sequestering larger particles.

8A representative example of the intimate relationship between Si and cell wall polysaccharides comes from the Si-accumulator rice. Commelinoid monocots (e.g., cereals, like rice) possess “type II” cell walls which are characterized by less pectins and more phenylpropanoids compared to “type I” dicot cell walls. Type II cell walls contain also glucuronoarabinoxylan cross-linking cellulose and mixed-linkage glucans. In “type II” cell walls Si might have a similar structural role as boron in dicots, where it cross-links pectic polysaccharides and thereby maintains the integrity ( and references therein). It is plausible that the complexation of Si with cell wall macromolecules takes place via the stabilization of sugars, in a manner analogous to the borate-mediated formose reaction ( and references therein).

9In this section of the review we will discuss about the literature data linking biosilicification with cellulosic and non-cellulosic polysaccharides, lignin, and proteins.

10Cellulose is the chief load-bearing component of plant cell walls and it was speculated that since it forms tightly packed crystalline microfibrils, there would be little chance to bind Si. However, reported that the addition of insoluble cellulose to an aqueous solution of octahedral silicon complex favored the formation of ordered aggregates (with the shape of sheets) at neutral pH (pH 6.67–7.1), while in the absence of cellulose, disordered aggregates of varying diameters were observed. This result suggests a potential role of cellulose in controlling ordered SiO2 deposition.

11Callose is a component of plant cell walls which is synthesized by membrane bound glycosyltransferases of family 48 (callose synthases) and plays an important role in both plant development and stress response. The first proof of a link between silicification and callose was shown in Equisetum, a vascular plant accumulating high levels of SiO2. Using the fluor PDMPO and fluorescence microscopy, the authors observed that the deposition of SiO2 followed the deposition of callose and this was particularly evident in the horsetail stomata. Interestingly, callose was able to induce the precipitation of SiO2 in vitro when undersaturated solutions of Si(OH)4 were used. The authors speculate that the hydroxyl groups of the glucose units in the callose homopolymer might be involved in initiating the first steps of autocondensation, by contributing to overcoming the energy barrier required for the autocondensation reaction.

12Horsetail cell walls are also characterized by the presence of mixed-linkage glucans, a feature shared with the phylogenetically distant order Poales. It was suggested that mixed-linkage glucans act as template for silicification, an observation recently corroborated in rice by. The overexpression of the (1;3,1;4)-β-D-glucanase OsEGL1 in rice did not affect the total concentration of Si, but affected the distribution profile of Si and the mechanical properties of the leaf blades after supplementation of Si. In rice mixed-linkage glucans can control, together with other macromolecules, the polymerization sites and/or the total accumulation of Si.

13A study on rice cell suspension cultures carried out using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy showed that Si occurs in the cell wall, where it is firmly associated with wall macromolecules (mainly hemicellulose components, via Si-O-C bonds; ). Si additionally improves both the regeneration of cell walls in protoplasts and the mechanical properties of rice cell walls. It increases the length of cellulose filaments and makes cellulose microfibrils denser. The association of Si with hemicelluloses is important for the in vivo Cd detoxification in rice cell suspension culture: when the concentration of Cd2+ increased beyond the natural binding ability of rice cell walls, Si-supplemented cells showed a smaller net influx of the toxic ion in the cells.

14A functional correlation between Si and mixed-linkage glucans was established in rice.

15In the fern Adiantum raddianum pectic homogalacturonan epitopes were found in the SiO2-enriched cell walls. In particular, the LM6 antibody recognizing pectic arabinan, showed labeling of the silicified outer cell walls of the fiber-like epidermal cells. The authors hypothesize that the silicified outer cell walls of these cells support the leaf lamina during expansion before the start of secondary cell wall formation and suggest a role for pectic arabinan in SiO2 deposition. A further result linking pectin and SiO2 deposition comes from a study carried out on Equisetum hyemale, where a colocalization of pectin and SiO2 was observed.

16Some studies in the literature have shown the association of Si with lignin. showed that in rice cell walls SiO2 interacts with the aromatic ring or phenolic acid of the lignocarbohydrate complex. Later, by using transmission electron microscopy coupled with electron energy loss microanalysis, confirmed this association in another species, by noticing that in beech root cell walls SiO2 was associated with polyphenolic compounds.

17In Cucurbita fruits the formation of phytoliths and lignification are determined by the same dominant genetic locus, Hr (hard rind), a finding which illustrates the mechanical role of SiO2 and confirms the existing link between lignin and SiO2 deposition.

18A study carried out on Si and lignin from rice showed that Si alone could not precipitate in borax aqueous solution (pH 10.05), while macrolignin (and not the lignin residue) could trigger SiO2 deposition via the formation of 5–6 coordinated bonds with Si.

19More recently, lignification of rice silica cells was shown to precede Si deposition in their lumen.

20Besides cell wall polysaccharides/macromolecules, in vitro studies have shown that the specific amino acid composition of cell wall-localized proteins affects biosilicification ( and references therein). Amino acids with positively charged side-chains can associate with the negatively charged silica species via electrostatic interactions, thereby favoring biosilicification. In this respect, it is noteworthy to mention the study on Cucumis sativus, in which a gene encoding a cell wall proline-rich protein (PRP1), that contains C-terminal repetitive sequences with clusters of positively charged amino acids (namely Arg and Lys), was shown to be specifically induced in systemically resistant plants. Interestingly, synthetic peptides corresponding to the repetitive sequences of PRP1 induced the polymerization of Si(OH)4 to SiO2, a result suggesting that the protein induces cell wall strengthening in cucumber via SiO2 deposition, upon induction of systemic acquired resistance. The formation of SiO2 thus provides a “shield” at the sites of fungal penetration.

21We also mention here the role of a serine-rich protein from mangrove (Rhizophora apiculata), which, although not predicted to be localized in the cell wall, was shown to play a positive role in Si accumulation. The gene coding for this protein was shown to be upregulated in the roots of Si-treated mangrove and to induce Si accumulation in both leaves and roots when expressed in a heterologous host, namely Arabidopsis thaliana. It is interesting to note here that in diatoms, which are well-known biosilicifying organisms, proteins rich in hydroxyamino acids are overrepresented in cell wall hydrolysates and may create ester bonds with Si(OH)4.

22Si alleviates the toxic effects associated with heavy metals in both monocots and dicots ( and references therein). For example, in maize plants Si favors the binding of Cd to the apoplasmic fraction of the shoots, while in the roots it stimulates the formation of suberin lamellae and the maturation of vascular tissues; Si also favors the binding of Al to the apoplast of maize root apex. In wheat seedlings Si deposition near the endodermis decreases the porosity of the Casparian strip and reduces the apoplasmic transport of Cd. In rice cell suspension culture, Si accumulates in the cell wall under the form of an organosilicon compound which binds Cd thereby inhibiting its uptake.

23In cucumber and tomato Si alleviates the effects of Cd toxicity via distinct mechanisms involving, among other factors, organic acid levels and cell wall polysaccharides. This finding shows species-specific effects of Si: while in tomato the root-to-shoot translocation is decreased, in cucumber roots the uptake of Cd is reduced.

24Si also induces modifications in the cell wall mechanical properties and composition, notably in the roots of plants (e.g.,;; ) and amorphous SiO2 deposits are found in association with plant cell walls, where the cell wall macromolecules template biosilicification (e.g.,; ). Therefore, the benefits of Si in stressed plants are (partly) due to its effects on cell wall biosynthesis and its mechanical role. SiO2 acts as herbivore deterrent, indeed SiO2-rich lignocellulosic biomass is appreciated in construction as the material is more durable (e.g., hemp woody core; ).

25Another study on the cell wall effects of Si supplementation in Si-accumulators (rice and maize) and non-accumulators (onion) showed an increased formation of Casparian bands in the exodermis. The Casparian band development was, however, not accompanied by an increase in lignin nor suberin (esterified phenolic compounds, which determine the aromatic part of suberin, decreased after depolymerization in rice and maize roots; ). The authors discussed that the increased formation of Casparian bands was due to the interaction of Si with phenolic compounds.

26The addition of Si influences cell wall-related processes in both monocots and dicots. Understanding more about the relationship Si-cell wall processes can help devise biotechnological strategies aimed at boosting the biosynthesis of lignocellulosic biomass, an important renewable commodity for mankind. In this paragraph we illustrate the effects of Si nutrition on the cell walls of monocots (by taking rice as model) and dicots. We also describe the effects on Si deprivation on the cell walls of rice, in the light of its impact on secondary cell wall biosynthesis.

27The addition of Si to rice plants induces a decrease in radial oxygen loss in the basal part of the adventitious roots. This phenomenon is due to lignified sclerenchyma cells and suberized exodermis and endodermis. The authors indeed observed that suberization of Si-supplied roots started already at 4–5 cm from the root tip, while in control plants this process started at 8–9 cm from the tip; additionally, suberization in the endodermis of Si-supplied roots was observed already at 1–2 cm, while no suberin was detected in control roots. The increased lignification of Si-supplemented roots was due to an increase in the transcript abundance of genes involved in monolignol biosynthesis, namely phenylalanine ammonia lyase and 4-coumarate:CoA ligase, and monolignol transport/polymerization, i.e., ABC transporters and peroxidases. The increased expression of ABC transporters and peroxidases is known to be also associated with an increased suberin biosynthesis.

28Si affects potato tuber skin by increasing suberization and by significantly upregulating suberin-associated 3-ketoacyl-CoA synthase (which is involved in suberin deposition). Si was also shown to decrease the age-dependent changes in the skin cell area, via a structural stabilization of the cell wall, thereby delaying senescence of the tuber skin.

29Si deprivation in rice induces cell wall thickening to compensate for the lack of SiO2 and hence the decreased mechanical strength. An increase in secondary cell wall biosynthesis (via the upregulation of lignin-related genes and secondary cell wall cellulose synthases) was indeed observed. In particular, with respect to Si-supplementation, an augmented cellulose deposition was observed in short cells of Si-deprived plants, which normally accumulate SiO2, a finding which shows the compensatory role for SiO2 of cellulose; lignin increased too, but its deposition in Si-deprived plants coincided with its localization in Si-supplemented rice.

30The aspects linked to the effects of Si on plant metabolism are related to its priming role, which will be discussed in the next paragraph. The literature is constellated by many reports showing the effects of Si nutrition on plant metabolism and we will hereby discuss a few of the most recent results.

31In miniature roses, Si was shown to induce an accumulation of fungitoxic phenolic compounds (chlorogenic acids and flavonoids) which correlated with ca. 50% reduction in disease severity when inoculation with Podosphaera pannosa was carried out. This increase was accompanied by the enhanced expression of genes involved in the phenylpropanoid pathway (phenylalanine ammonia lyase, cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase, chalcone synthase). Interestingly, in this study, the supplementation of Si alone induced an increase in transcript abundance for these genes in the fifth developed leaves of miniature roses. The production of flavonoids and organic acids can be a strategy adopted by plants to face exogenous stresses. These compound contribute for example to the chelation of heavy metals: catechin and quercetin can chelate Al, while malate and aconitate (whose synthesis is also stimulated by Si) can complex Cu ( and references therein).

32Si-supplemented perennial ryegrass exposed to Magnaporthe oryzae was shown to accumulate chlorogenic acids and flavonoids and displayed an increased expression of peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase, penylalanine ammonia lyase, lipoxygenase.

33Si can also alter plant metabolism by acting on the endogenous levels of plant growth regulators. Si supplementation in rice under heavy metal stress ameliorates the toxic effects of Cd/Cu in the roots by reducing lipid peroxidation and fatty acid desaturation and by modulating the levels of plant growth regulators. In particular, the levels of abscisic acid increased at increasing stress periods, while those of jasmonic acid decreased; salicilic acid content, on the other hand, did not significantly change in the presence of Si.

34Another evidence for an effect of Si on plant (secondary) metabolism comes from a recent study on the medicinal plant Lonicera japonica (honeysuckle) under salt stress: this study showed that Si induces the accumulation of chlorogenic acids in honeysuckle and stimulates the activities of catalase and superoxide dismutase.

35It is well known that Si exerts a protective role in plants, however, the detailed mechanisms of this process remain still obscure. The previous paragraph has illustrated the action of Si on plant metabolism and the promotion of the synthesis of compounds that are toxic, e.g., in case of fungal infection. Si stimulates the defense response of plants and while it was at first assumed that it exerted a purely passive role, now evidence is accumulating that Si has a more complex mechanism of action. Si triggers induced resistance in plants and at the beginning it was proposed that the role was that of a mechanical “barrier” hindering fungal penetration; however, the passive “barrier” role does not explain the activation of defense response (i.e., the priming action) observed for instance in the Arabidopsis-powdery mildew pathosystem. One can indeed wonder the following: if the role of Si is purely mechanical, why would the plant activate its defense arsenal? The role of Si might hence not be solely due to a mechanical function. It is important to highlight also that the supplementation of Si alone to Arabidopsis resulted in expression changes of only two genes, a finding which supports the stress-activated effects of Si. The role of Si on plant metabolism seems therefore to be indirect. It should, however, be noted that a study on another model system, rice, showed that in unstressed plants 35 and 121 TFs were up- and downregulated, respectively,.

36It was proposed that Si might bind to the hydroxyl groups of proteins involved in cellular signaling, act as a second messenger, and/or sequester cations necessary for the activity of enzymes related to pathogen processes.

37A very interesting model explaining the mode of action of Si has been recently proposed by: by using Arabidopsis mutants deficient in salicylic acid-dependent response and expressing the wheat Si transporter (TaLsi1), the authors showed that, upon inoculation with the fungus Golovinomyces cichoracearum, the plants supplemented with Si were much more resistant than control plants and the transformed ones deprived of Si. The authors suggest that the mode of action of Si takes place at the interface between plasma membrane and apoplast (a site where amorphous Si is actually deposited) and implies an interference with effectors. This means that Si prevents effectors from reaching their targets.

38This is a very interesting perspective highlighting a cell wall-related mode of action of Si.

39An apoplast-linked mode of action of Si was also hypothesized by: in rice, the deposition of SiO2 might trigger a mild cell wall stress by interacting with cell wall components and this might be linked to the increase in jasmonic acid observed in rice plants infested with insects.

40By taking into account the site of action of Si at the interface between cell wall-plasma membrane and the potential stress that the polymerization of Si might exert on the cell wall, it is tempting to speculate that the priming mechanism is (partly) due to the activation of the cell wall integrity maintenance. This hypothesis would unify the observations by and: wall-associated kinases (WAKs) are strategically located at the interface between cell wall and plasma membrane (exactly the site where amorphous Si is deposited), hence they might be involved in the response to eventual cell wall-localized stresses induced upon interaction of Si with cell wall components. Given the availability of a broad collection of Arabidopsis mutants, in the future this hypothesis could be tested by designing an experiment where WAKs mutants grown in the presence/absence of Si are exposed to a biotic stress and their responses are analyzed via, e.g., transcriptomics.

41All authors listed, have made substantial, direct and intellectual contribution to the work, and approved it for publication.

42The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.