title: The barley genome sequence assembly reveals three additional members of the CslF (1,3;1,4)-β-glucan synthase gene family.
abstract: An important component of barley cell walls, particularly in the endosperm, is (1,3;1,4)-β-glucan, a polymer that has proven health benefits in humans and that influences processability in the brewing industry. Genes of the cellulose synthase-like (Csl) F gene family have been shown to be involved in (1,3;1,4)-β-glucan synthesis but many aspects of the biosynthesis are still unclear. Examination of the sequence assembly of the barley genome has revealed the presence of an additional three HvCslF genes (HvCslF11, HvCslF12 and HvCslF13) which may be involved in (1,3;1,4)-β-glucan synthesis. Transcripts of HvCslF11 and HvCslF12 mRNA were found in roots and young leaves, respectively. Transient expression of these genes in Nicotiana benthamiana resulted in phenotypic changes in the infiltrated leaves, although no authentic (1,3;1,4)-β-glucan was detected. Comparisons of the CslF gene families in cereals revealed evidence of intergenic recombination, gene duplications and translocation events. This significant divergence within the gene family might be related to multiple functions of (1,3;1,4)-β-glucans in the Poaceae. Emerging genomic and global expression data for barley and other cereals is a powerful resource for characterising the evolution and dynamics of complete gene families. In the case of the CslF gene family, the results will contribute to a more thorough understanding of carbohydrate metabolism in grass cell walls.
authors.affiliation: Division of Plant Sciences, University of Dundee at The James Hutton Institute, Invergowrie, Dundee, Scotland, United Kingdom; The James Hutton Institute, Invergowrie, Dundee, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Miriam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schreiber
authors.affiliation: Biomathematics and Statistics Scotland (BioSS), Invergowrie, Dundee, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Wright
authors.affiliation: Biomathematics and Statistics Scotland (BioSS), Invergowrie, Dundee, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Katrin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: MacKenzie
authors.affiliation: The James Hutton Institute, Invergowrie, Dundee, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Pete E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Hedley
authors.affiliation: ARC Centre of Excellence in Plant Cell Walls, University of Adelaide, Waite Campus, Glen Osmond, South Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Julian G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Schwerdt
authors.affiliation: ARC Centre of Excellence in Plant Cell Walls, University of Adelaide, Waite Campus, Glen Osmond, South Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Alan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Little
authors.affiliation: ARC Centre of Excellence in Plant Cell Walls, University of Adelaide, Waite Campus, Glen Osmond, South Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Rachel A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Burton
authors.affiliation: ARC Centre of Excellence in Plant Cell Walls, University of Adelaide, Waite Campus, Glen Osmond, South Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Geoffrey B
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Fincher
authors.affiliation: The James Hutton Institute, Invergowrie, Dundee, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Marshall
authors.affiliation: Division of Plant Sciences, University of Dundee at The James Hutton Institute, Invergowrie, Dundee, Scotland, United Kingdom; The James Hutton Institute, Invergowrie, Dundee, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Robbie
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Waugh
authors.affiliation: Division of Plant Sciences, University of Dundee at The James Hutton Institute, Invergowrie, Dundee, Scotland, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Claire
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Halpin
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D001483:Base Sequence; D001499:Bayes Theorem; D002473:Cell Wall / Q000235:genetics*; D017931:DNA Primers / Q000235:genetics; D040461:Gene Components; D018745:Genome, Plant / Q000235:genetics*; D005964:Glucosyltransferases / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D001467:Hordeum / Q000235:genetics*; D008957:Models, Genetic; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010802:Phylogeny; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000378:metabolism; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000378:metabolism; D016415:Sequence Alignment; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D014026:Nicotiana / Q000378:metabolism; D047071:beta-Glucans / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D017931:DNA Primers; D047071:beta-Glucans; D005964:Glucosyltransferases