biostudies-literatureUnknown68(9)Nakashima KThe native form of cellulose is a fibrillar composite of two crystalline phases, the triclinic I(α) and monoclinic I(β) allomorphs. Allomorph ratios are species-specific, and this gives rise to natural structural variations in cellulose crystals. However, the mechanisms contributing to crystal formation remain unknown. We show that the two crystalline phases of cellulose are tailored to distinct structures during different developmental stages of the tunicate chordate Oikopleura dioica. Larval cellulose consisting of I(α) allomorph constitutes the body cuticle fin, whereas adult cellulose consisting of I(β) allomorph frames a mucous filter-feeding device, the "house." Both structures are secreted from the epidermis in accordance with the mutually exclusive expression patterns of two distinCellular and molecular life sciences : CMLS1623-31https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC11114516biostudies-literatureThe crystalline phase of cellulose changes under developmental control in a marine chordate.PMC11114516Nakashima KHirose ESugiyama JHorikawa YSatoh NNishino AfalseThe crystalline phase of cellulose changes under developmental control in a marine chordate.The native form of cellulose is a fibrillar composite of two crystalline phases, the triclinic I(α) and monoclinic I(β) allomorphs. Allomorph ratios are species-specific, and this gives rise to natural structural variations in cellulose crystals. However, the mechanisms contributing to crystal formation remain unknown. We show that the two crystalline phases of cellulose are tailored to distinct structures during different developmental stages of the tunicate chordate Oikopleura dioica. Larval cellulose consisting of I(α) allomorph constitutes the body cuticle fin, whereas adult cellulose consisting of I(β) allomorph frames a mucous filter-feeding device, the "house." Both structures are secreted from the epidermis in accordance with the mutually exclusive expression patterns of two distin2011-01-01T00:00:00Z2011 May2026-06-01T20:18:08.289Z2026-05-20T03:09:04.939ZS-EPMC111145162097281510.1007/s00018-010-0556-7