title: Callose synthesis in higher plants.
abstract: Callose is a polysaccharide in the form of beta-1,3-glucan with some beta-1,6-branches and it exists in the cell walls of a wide variety of higher plants. Callose plays important roles during a variety of processes in plant development and/or in response to multiple biotic and abiotic stresses. It is now generally believed that callose is produced by callose synthases and that it is degraded by beta-1,3-glucanases. Despite the importance of callose in plants, we have only recently begun to elucidate the molecular mechanism of its synthesis. Molecular and genetic studies in Arabidopsis have identified a set of genes that are involved in the biosynthesis and degradation of callose. In this mini-review, we highlight recent progress in understanding callose biosynthesis and degradation and discuss the future challenges of unraveling the mechanism(s) by which callose synthase operate.
authors.affiliation: Division of Applied Life Science (BK21 and WCU program), Graduate School of Gyeongsang National University, Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Research Center, Environmental Biotechnology National Core Research Center, Jinju, Korea.
authors.forename: Xiong-Yan
authors.initials: XY
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Jae-Yean
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D017360:Arabidopsis / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D002455:Cell Division; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; D017343:Genes, Plant; D005936:Glucans / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D005964:Glucosyltransferases / Q000378:metabolism; D031425:Plasmodesmata / Q000378:metabolism; D011058:Pollen / Q000254:growth & development; D013312:Stress, Physiological
chemical_list: D005936:Glucans; C048306:callose; D005964:Glucosyltransferases; C020570:1,3-beta-glucan synthase