Synthetic pectin-cellulose nanofiber capsule provides minimal model capturing mechanics of a regenerating plant cell wall

Abstract

Plant primary cell walls are dynamic supramolecular assemblies composed of layered cellulose, hemicellulose and pectin, progressively built through synthesis and secretion. However, the specific architectural features and structural components sufficient to endow the mechanical properties of the wall remain unclear. Here, we construct a minimal synthetic spherical shell and compare its structural and mechanical properties to those of a plant single-cell system. To eliminate complexities from intercellular connectivity and developmental history, we exploit the ability of plant protoplasts to regenerate cell walls de novo. Compression tests of regenerating protoplasts between parallel plates reveal that wall stiffness increases with wall thickening over time. Despite differences in assembly pathways, architecture, and composition, the synthetic shell exhibits a similar thickness-dependent modulus and similar material stiffness. The synthetic shell, composed of pectin and cellulose layers, mirrors the mechanical behavior of regenerating primary cell walls, suggesting that these components are sufficient to confer key viscoelastic properties in the limit of small deformations. Given the complexity of natural plant cell walls, the synthetic analogue offers a controllable platform to dissect the mechanical contributions of individual wall components.