Improved understanding
of cellulose structure and synthesis
Cellulose is synthesized by cellulose synthases (CesA’s),
membrane-bound enzyme complexes that synthesize Dglucan
chains from UDP-D-glucose. Cellulose synthases
form rosette structures consisting of six cellulose synthase
complexes (CSCs) each consisting of six catalytic CesA
subunits. One rosette can thus synthesize 36 glucan
chains, which aggregate in a cellulose microfibril. The
individual members within a group of six CesA molecules are not identical and vary in make up between primary
and secondary cell walls