Molecular Analysis of Cellulose Biosynthesis in Arabidopsis

• DOI: 10.1126/science.279.5351.717
• Publication Date: 2002-07-27T09:49:42Z
• Authors: Tony Arioli; Liangcai Peng; Andreas S. Betzner; Joanne Burn; Werner Wittke; Werner Herth; Christine Camilleri; Herman Höfte; Jacek Plazinski; Rosemary Birch; Ann Cork; Julie Glover; John Redmond; Richard E. Willia...
• Keywords: 0301 basic medicine; 2. Zero hunger; 570; Arabidopsis Proteins; Cell Membrane; Genetic Complementation Test; Molecular Sequence Data; Arabidopsis; Chromosome Mapping; [SDV.BC]Life Sciences [q-bio]/Cellular Biology; 540; Genes, Plant; Plant Roots; 03 medical and health sciences; Glucosyltransferases; Mutation; Freeze Fracturing; Amino Acid Sequence; Cloning, Molecular; Cellulose; Crystallization; Glucans; Plant Shoots

Cellulose, an abundant, crystalline polysaccharide, is central to plant morphogenesis and to many industries. Chemical and ultrastructural analyses together with map-based cloning indicate that the RSW1 locus of Arabidopsis encodes the catalytic subunit of cellulose synthase. The cloned gene complements the rsw1 mutant whose temperature-sensitive allele is changed in one amino acid. The mutant allele causes a specific reduction in cellulose synthesis, accumulation of noncrystalline β-1,4-glucan, disassembly of cellulose synthase, and widespread morphological abnormalities. Microfibril crystallization may require proper assembly of the RSW1 gene product into synthase complexes whereas glucan biosynthesis per se does not.