Physiological mechanisms of root elongation inhibition induced by changes of root cell wall components under aluminum stress

This article summarized the research progresses upon cell wall component changes and physiological view of root elongation under aluminum stress. Inhibition of root elongation is the prominent symptom of aluminum toxicity. Previous studies demonstrated that changes of cell wall chemical components induced by Al are the dominating reason. We explicate that Al-induced changes of cell wall components (e.g., lignin, callose, cellulose, hemicellulose, pectin and glycoprotein) and relative metabolic enzymes trigger the decrease of cell wall elasticity, thus inhibit cell elongation, which eventually results in the inhibition of root elongation. Finally, due to the lack of systematic study on individual plant, comprehensive and rational explanations on Al-induced inhibition cannot be achieved. We suggest to focus on the contribution of individual cell wall component on Al-induced root inhibition. In order to tackle the Al-induced problems of production and quality on staple food crops, a systematic studies need to be implemented.