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Visualization of cellulose synthase demonstrates functional association with microtubules.

TitleVisualization of cellulose synthase demonstrates functional association with microtubules.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2006
AuthorsParedez AR, Somerville CR, Ehrhardt DW
JournalScience (New York, N.Y.)
Volume312
Issue5779
Pagination1491-5
Date Published2006 Jun 9
ISSN1095-9203
Keywordsarabidopsis, Arabidopsis Proteins, Benzamides, Biological Transport, Cell Membrane, Cellulose, Enzyme Inhibitors, Glucosyltransferases, Microfibrils, Microscopy, Confocal, Microtubules, Plants, Genetically Modified, Recombinant Fusion Proteins, Tubulin
Abstract

<p>
Expression of a functional yellow fluorescent protein fusion to cellulose synthase (CESA) in transgenic Arabidopsis plants allowed the process of cellulose deposition to be visualized in living cells. Spinning disk confocal microscopy revealed that CESA complexes in the plasma membrane moved at constant rates in linear tracks that were aligned and were coincident with cortical microtubules. Within each observed linear track, complex movement was bidirectional. Inhibition of microtubule polymerization changed the fine-scale distribution and pattern of moving CESA complexes in the membrane, indicating a relatively direct mechanism for guidance of cellulose deposition by the cytoskeleton.</p>

Alternate JournalScience