Plant cells must carefully regulate cell wall synthesis to maintain growth and to respond to developmental, biotic, and abiotic signals. Cellulose, the main load-bearing component of the plant cell wall is made at the cell membrane, so plants can regulate cell wall synthesis by regulating whether cellulose synthase enzymes are active and localized in the cell membrane, or whether they are held inactive within the cell. Yu’s paper in Current Opinion in Plant Biology reviews the mechanisms by which cellulose synthesis is regulated by cellulose synthase enzyme trafficking to the plasma membrane (via exocytosis) or removal from the plasma membrane (via endocytosis).
Free access to the full-text is generously provided by Current Opinion in Plant Biology until October 5.