Rhamnogalacturonan I from xylem differentiating zones of Cryptomeria japonica.

Rhamnogalacturonan I (RG-I) was isolated from the pectin of the cell wall of xylem differentiating zones of sugi (Cryptomeria japonica D. Don, gymnosperm) by digesting with endo-alpha-1,4-polygalacturonase followed by gel-permeation chromatography. Structure of RG-I was characterized by glycosyl composition and glycosyl linkage analyses, partial acid hydrolysis, and lithium (Li)-treatment in ethylenediamine. The oligosaccharides produced by partial acid hydrolysis showed the backbone of RG-I to be a disaccharide repeating unit of --> 4)-alpha-D-GalpA-(1-->2)-alpha-L-Rhap-(1-->. Arabian and oligogalactosyl side chains were attached at O-4 of rhamnosyl residues of the backbone. Glycosyl composition and glycosyl linkage analyses suggested that the structures and/or the distribution of the arabinan sidechains of sugi RG-I were different from those of sycamore (angiosperm) RG-I.