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Comparative Structural and Computational Analysis Supports Eighteen Cellulose Synthases in the Plant Cellulose
B Tracy Nixon1, Katayoun Mansouri2, Abhishek Singh3
1Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA 16802, USA.
Scientific Reports
|June 28, 2016
Summary
The cellulose synthesis complex (CSC) forms cellulose microfibrils. New evidence suggests the CSC contains 18 cellulose synthase (CESA) proteins, arranged in six trimeric units.
Area of Science:
- Plant biology
- Biochemistry
- Structural biology
Background:
- Cellulose microfibrils are essential structural components in plant cell walls.
- The cellulose synthesis complex (CSC) is responsible for synthesizing these microfibrils.
- The precise number of cellulose synthase (CESA) proteins within the CSC has been a long-standing question.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the number of CESA proteins in the rosette-type CSC.
- To elucidate the structural organization of the CSC.
- To understand the relationship between CSC structure and cellulose microfibril formation.
Main Methods:
- Advanced transmission electron microscopy (TEM) for imaging CSC structure.
- Computational modeling to predict CESA oligomerization and assembly.
- Small-angle scattering (SAXS) data analysis for protein structure determination.
- Image averaging techniques to enhance structural details.
Main Results:
- Improved TEM images revealed the geometry and cross-sectional area of individual CSC lobes.
- Computational models supported a trimeric CESA structure, with six such trimers forming the rosette CSC.
- SAXS data and TEM imaging were consistent with an 18-CESA model for the CSC.
- The data support a fundamental microfibril composed of 18 glucan chains synthesized by the 18 CESAs.
Conclusions:
- The rosette CSC is composed of 18 CESA proteins organized as six trimeric units.
- This structural arrangement directly underlies the synthesis of cellulose microfibrils.
- The study provides a more definitive understanding of CSC stoichiometry and function in cellulose biosynthesis.
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