Cellulose: how many cellulose synthases to make a plant?

Curr Biol. 2001 Mar 20;11(6):R213-6. doi: 10.1016/s0960-9822(01)00108-7.

Abstract

Many questions remain about the biosynthesis of cellulose, the major plant cell wall component, not least of which is why plants have so many genes for the cellulose synthase catalytic subunit. Perhaps multiple isoforms of cellulose synthase are needed in the same cell for the formation of functional dimeric complexes.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Arabidopsis / enzymology*
  • Arabidopsis / genetics
  • Arabidopsis Proteins*
  • Cell Wall
  • Cellulose / biosynthesis*
  • Glucosyltransferases / genetics
  • Glucosyltransferases / metabolism*
  • Glucosyltransferases / physiology
  • Protein Isoforms / genetics
  • Protein Isoforms / metabolism
  • Protein Isoforms / physiology

Substances

  • Arabidopsis Proteins
  • Protein Isoforms
  • Cellulose
  • CESA8 protein, Arabidopsis
  • Glucosyltransferases
  • PRC1 protein, Arabidopsis
  • cellulose synthase (UDP-forming)