Transgenic modification of potato pectic polysaccharides also affects type and level of cell wall xyloglucan.

Background: Genes encoding pectic enzymes were introduced into wild-type potato Karnico. Cell wall materials were extracted from Karnico and transgenic lines expressing β-galactosidase (β-Gal-14) or rhamnogalacturonan lyase (RGL-18). Pectic polysaccharides from the β-Gal-14 transgenic line exhibited rhamnogalacturonan-I structural elements with shorter galactan side chains, whereas the RGL-18 transgenic line had less rhamnogalacturonan-I structures than Karnico.