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PENNSTATE Daniel J. Cosgrove (814) 863-3892 Department of Biology Eberly College of Science The Pennsylvania State University 208 Mueller Laboratory University Park, PA 16801-5301 USA EMAIL: [email protected] Tb FAX: (814) 865-9131 May 7, 2017 Nature Editor: Re: submission of “Letter” manuscript: “Group-2/3 allergens of grass pollen have cell wall loosening activity characteristic of -expansin” Why the manuscript should be considered for a topical, interdisciplinary journal like Nature: We show that this small pollen allergen induces plant cell wall extension and stress relaxation just like the unique wall-loosening protein named expansin. The results indicate that domain 2 from expansin is responsible for expansin’s characteristic actions on the cell wall (this is surprising) and they also give clues to the biological role of these pollen allergens, which previously had no known function. The new results should interest a diverse audience, including (a) immunologists, (b) plant biologists, (c) protein structure folks, (d) polysaccharide biochemists, and (e) protein evolutionary biologists. Summary for general public: Plant cells are surrounded by a strong cell wall, which becomes pliant to allow cell enlargement. A unique protein named expansin is known to loosen walls without wall breakdown. Expansins contain an endoglucanase-like domain (presumed to be the active domain) and a putative binding domain. Now, Li et al. show that a group of small pollen allergens with homology to expansin’s binding domain have characteristic expansin activity. The results indicate that the expansin’s binding domain has wall loosening activity, and that these pollen allergens work synergistically with expansins to loosen cell walls, e.g. during pollen tube growth through the stigma. We are submitting a text file and three figures. Word count: Abstract: 125 Main text, including Methods section: 1400 Legends: 420 29 references There are three figures: 1 (one panel), 2 (4 panels) and 3 (6 panels), for a combined size of slightly less than half a page (e.g. less than 1 column). Suggested reviewers: Professor Hans Kende Michigan State University MSU DOE Plant Research Lab 178 Wilson Road East Lansing MI 48824-1312 PHONE: 517 353 7865 FAX: 517 353 9168 EMAIL: [email protected] Professor Keith Roberts Dept. Cell and Developmental Biology John Innes Centre Colney Norwich, NR4 7UH, UK tel: (44) 1603 450777 fax: (44) 1603 450019 email: [email protected] Professor Nicholas Carpita Purdue University Botany & Plant Path Dept Lilly Hall Of Life Sciences 1155 West Lafayette IN 47907-1155 PHONE: 765 494 4653 FAX: 765 494 0363 EMAIL: [email protected] I ask that you do not send it for review to Professor S. McQueen-Mason at York University. Sincerely yours, Daniel J. Cosgrove Professor of Biology
