POM2/CSI1 connects cellulose biosynthesis, cytoskeletal dynamics and phyllotaxis in Arabidopsis

基于葡萄糖的聚合物纤维素构成植物细胞壁的主要承重组分，并且是许多工业应用的重要来源，包括纺织和造纸工业的原料。纤维素似乎是通过异聚纤维素合酶（CESA）复合物在细胞表面合成的。这些复合物由皮质微管引导，其机制至今未知。我们已经确定了CESA复合物的一个新组分，称为POM 2/CSI 1。相应基因的突变导致纤维素沉积异常，并损害微管的组织。有趣的是，pom 2/csi 1突变体显示紊乱的叶序图案，最近已被证明是依赖于微管的方向的过程。我们推测，POM 2/CSI 1提供了一个重要的联系微管和纤维素沉积过程中的细胞扩张和发展的拍摄顶端分生组织。我们将使用高清晰度显微镜，相互作用组分析和先进的定量生长评估相结合来研究这些关系。

The glucose-based polymer cellulose constitutes the main load-bearing component of plant cell walls, and presents an important source for many industrial applications, including raw material for the textile- and paper industries. Cellulose appears to be synthesized at the cell surface by heteromeric cellulose synthase (CESA) complexes. These complexes are guided by cortical microtubules by an, as of yet, unknown mechanism. We have identified a novel component of the CESA complex, referred to as POM2/CSI1. Mutations in the corresponding gene cause aberrant cellulose deposition, and compromise the organization of microtubules. Interestingly, pom2/csi1 mutants display disturbed phyllotactic patterning, a process that recently has been shown to be dependent on the orientation of the microtubules. We hypothesize that the POM2/CSI1 provides an important link between the microtubules and cellulose deposition during both cell expansion and development of the shoot apical meristem. We will investigate these relationships using a combination of high definition microscopy, interactome analyses, and advanced quantitative growth assessments.