Cellulose synthase complex organization and cellulose microfibril structure

Cellulose Microfibril/Nanofibril and Its Nanocompsites

Cellulose micro/nanofibril (CMNF) as a reinforcing material for composites is becoming more and more attractive to researchers in composite science because of its potential lightweight and high strength. CMNF is generally prepared by either physical treatment, e.g., by a high pressure homogenizer and/or high pressure refiner, or chemical treatments, e.g., acid hydrolysis. In this study, attempt...

The Size of the Cellulose Microfibril

Recently the lateral width of the cellulose microfibril has been estimated as 30 A rather than about 150 to 200 A, by extrapolation of data from model shadowing experiments. The difference was attributed to a layer of metal deposited during shadowing. However, direct photographs of the same microfibrils parallel and perpendicular to the direction of shadowing, of unshadowed portions of microfib...

Trafficking of the plant cellulose synthase complex.

Update on Cellulose Synthase Trafficking Trafficking of the Plant Cellulose Synthase Complex

Cellulose is the most abundant component of plant cell walls and its importance is well documented. In the primary cell wall it forms part of the load-bearing network that both controls and maintains cell shape, while allowing regulated cell expansion that is essential during growth. Cellulose is also the major component of secondary cell walls where it is required for mechanical strength for t...

Cellulose microfibril crystallinity is reduced by mutating C-terminal transmembrane region residues CESA1A903V and CESA3T942I of cellulose synthase.

The mechanisms underlying the biosynthesis of cellulose in plants are complex and still poorly understood. A central question concerns the mechanism of microfibril structure and how this is linked to the catalytic polymerization action of cellulose synthase (CESA). Furthermore, it remains unclear whether modification of cellulose microfibril structure can be achieved genetically, which could be...