The trafficking and behavior of cellulose synthase and a glimpse of potential cellulose synthesis regulators

Cellulose biosynthesis is a topic of intensive research not only due to the significance of cellulose in the integrity of plant cell walls,but also due to the potential of using cellulose,a natural carbon source,in the production of biofuels.Characterization of the composition,regulation,and trafficking of cellulose synthase complexes(CSCs)is critical to an understanding of cellulose biosynthesis as well as the characterization of additional proteins that contribute to the production of cellulose either through direct interactions with CSCs or through indirect mechanisms.In this review,a highlight of a few proteins that appear to affect cellulose biosynthesis,which includes:KORRIGAN(KOR),Cellulose Synthase-Interactive Protein 1(CSI1),and the poplar microtubule-associated protein,PttMAP20,will accompany a description of cellulose synthase(CESA)behavior and a discussion of CESA trafficking compartments that might act in the regulation of cellulose biosynthesis.