AtFLA11, a fasciclin-like arabinogalactan-protein, specifically localized in sclerenchyma cells.

An arabinogalactan-protein macroarray of all 48 Arabidopsis arabinogalactan-protein genes was prepared as a handy detection system for arabinogalactan-protein gene expression. The major transcript in inflorescence stems was identified as AtFLA11. AtFLA11 is categorized as a fasciclin-like arabinogalactan-protein that possesses a fasciclin domain with a cell adhesion function in animal cells. AtFLA11 was specifically expressed in the sclerenchyma cells of inflorescence stems and siliques, which are characterized by their thick secondary cell walls, and was confirmed by immunostaining at the protein level. The fluctuation of AtFLA11 transcripts during the maturation process of sclerenchyma cells suggests its role in the formation of the secondary cell wall.