The cellulose paradox--simple molecule, complex biosynthesis.
Cellulose is the most abundant biopolymer on earth. Despite its simple structure, omnipresence in the plant kingdom, and ever increasing global importance as industrial raw material, the genetic and biochemical regulation of cellulose biosynthesis continues to be unclear. Over the past ten years, the advances in functional genomics have significantly improved our understanding of the processes of cellulose biosynthesis in higher plants. However, for each question answered myriad new unanswered ones have arisen.
Joshi
Chandrashekhar P
CP
Biotechnology Research Center, School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, Michigan 49931, USA. cpjoshi@mtu.edu
Mansfield
Shawn D
SD
D053898:Biosynthetic Pathways / Q000502:physiology; D002482:Cellulose / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D005964:Glucosyltransferases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D010944:Plants / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
D002482:Cellulose; D005964:Glucosyltransferases; C478648:cellulose synthase