Cellulose synthase-like CslF genes mediate the synthesis of cell wall (1,3;1,4)-beta-D-glucans
Date
2006
Authors
Burton, R.
Wilson, S.
Hrmova, M.
Harvey, A.
Shirley, N.
Medhurst, A.
Stone, B.
Newbigin, E.
Bacic, A.
Fincher, G.
Editors
Advisors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Type:
Journal article
Citation
Science, 2006; 311(5769):1940-1942
Statement of Responsibility
Rachel A. Burton, Sarah M. Wilson, Maria Hrmova, Andrew J. Harvey, Neil J. Shirley, Anne Medhurst, Bruce A. Stone, Edward J. Newbigin, Antony Bacic, Geoffrey B. Fincher
Conference Name
Abstract
A characteristic feature of grasses and commercially important cereals is the presence of (1,3;1,4)-ß-D-glucans in their cell walls. We have used comparative genomics to link a major quantitative trait locus for (1,3;1,4)-ß-D-glucan content in barley grain to a cluster of cellulose synthase–like CslF genes in rice. After insertion of rice CslF genes into Arabidopsis, we detected (1,3;1,4)-ß-D-glucan in walls of transgenic plants using specific monoclonal antibodies and enzymatic analysis. Because wild-type Arabidopsis does not contain CslF genes or have (1,3;1,4)-ß-D-glucans in its walls, these experiments provide direct, gain-of-function evidence for the participation of rice CslF genes in (1,3;1,4)-ß-D-glucan biosynthesis.