The cellulose synthase-like proteins are a large family of proteins in plants thought to be processive polysaccharide beta-glycosyltransferases. We have characterized an Arabidopsis mutant with a transposon insertion in the gene encoding AtCSLA7 of the CSLA subfamily. Analysis of the transmission efficiency of the insertion indicated that AtCSLA7 is important for pollen tube growth. Moreover, t...

Previously we discovered that OmpA of Escherichia coli increases biofilm formation on polystyrene surfaces (González Barrios et al., Biotechnol Bioeng, 93:188-200, 2006a). Here we show OmpA influences biofilm formation differently on hydrophobic and hydrophilic surfaces since it represses cellulose production which is hydrophilic. OmpA increased biofilm formation on polystyrene, polypropylene, ...

.-, Aims To outline the current state of knowledge and discuss the evolution of various viewpoints put forth to explain the mechanism of cellu lose biosynt·hesis. (. Scope Lnderstanding the mechanism of cellulose biosynthesis is one of the major challenges in plant biology. The simplicity in the chemical structure of cellulose belies the complexities that are associated with the synthesis and a...

Cellulose is the major polysaccharide of plants where it plays a predominantly structural role. A variety of highly specialized microorganisms have evolved to produce enzymes that either synergistically or in complexes can carry out the complete hydrolysis of cellulose. The structure of the major cellobiohydrolase, CBHI, of the potent cellulolytic fungus Trichoderma reesei has been determined a...

Currently, Malaysia has significantly increased its reputation as a country ripe for investments in the palm-based lignocellulosic biomass space. Lignocellulosic palm biomass is composed of cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin, as well as other minor components. The presence of highly cellulose content in palm biomass is potentially convert to nanocellulose, which is a promising bio-polymer that...

Agave is a good source of polysaccharides for the production of fermentable sugars as sustainable bioenergy feedstock solutions for semi-arid and arid lands. This plant grows in arid areas, which correspond to a large territory in northern Mexico. Having lignocellulose as the polysaccharide of interest, the information for the enzymatic saccharification of this kind of material is limited. Agav...

The polysaccharide composition and dynamics of the intact stem leaf cell walls model grass Brachypodium distachyon are investigated to understand how developmental stage affects structure walls. 13C enrichment entire plant allowed detailed analysis xylan structure, side-chain functionalization, dynamics, interaction with cellulose using magic-angle-spinning solid-state NMR spectroscopy. Quantit...

Our results show that all of the brown rot fungi tested produce oxalic acid in liquid as well as in semisolid cultures. Gloeophyllum trabeum, which accumulates the lowest amount of oxalic acid during decay of pine holocellulose, showed the highest polysaccharide-depolymerizing activity. Semisolid cultures inoculated with this fungus rapidly converted C-labeled oxalic acid to CO(2) during cellul...