Molecular analysis of cellulose biosynthesis in Arabidopsis.
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 beta-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.
Arioli
T
T
Cooperative Research Centre for Plant Science, Australian National University, Post Office Box 475, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia.
Peng
L
L
Betzner
A S
AS
Burn
J
J
Wittke
W
W
Herth
W
W
Camilleri
C
C
Höfte
H
H
Plazinski
J
J
Birch
R
R
Cork
A
A
Glover
J
J
Redmond
J
J
Williamson
R E
RE
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D017360:Arabidopsis / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D029681:Arabidopsis Proteins; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000737:chemistry / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002482:Cellulose / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D002874:Chromosome Mapping; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D003460:Crystallization; D005614:Freeze Fracturing; D017343:Genes, Plant; D005816:Genetic Complementation Test; D005936:Glucans / Q000378:metabolism; D005964:Glucosyltransferases / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009154:Mutation; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000737:chemistry / Q000648:ultrastructure; D018520:Plant Shoots / Q000737:chemistry
D029681:Arabidopsis Proteins; D005936:Glucans; D002482:Cellulose; C040088:1,4-glucan; C110227:CESA1 protein, Arabidopsis; D005964:Glucosyltransferases