Computational and genetic evidence that different structural conformations of a non-catalytic region affect the function of plant cellulose synthase.

ABSTRACT: The β-1,4-glucan chains comprising cellulose are synthesized by cellulose synthases in the plasma membranes of diverse organisms including bacteria and plants. Understanding structure-function relationships in the plant enzymes involved in cellulose synthesis (CESAs) is important because cellulose is the most abundant component in the plant cell wall, a key renewable biomaterial. Here, we explored the structure and function of the region encompassing transmembrane helices (TMHs) 5 and 6 in CESA using computational and genetic tools. Ab initio computational structure prediction revealed novel bi-modal structural conformations of the region between TMH5 and 6 that may affect CESA function. Here we present our computational findings on this region in three CESAs of Arabidopsis thaliana (AtCES

SUBMITTER: Slabaugh E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4246192 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature