Scientists Find Molecular Switch for Cellulose Production
December 19, 2008| |
Researchers at Purdue University have identified a mechanism that naturally shuts down cellulose production in plants. Nicholas Capita and colleagues found a family of small-interfering RNAs (siRNAs) that shuts down genes involved in primary cell wall production. siRNAs derived from the barley HvCesA6 gene play a normal role in plant development by shutting off genes involved in primary cell wall growth in order to begin development of thicker, secondary cell walls. Plant secondary cell walls contain lignin and other polysaccharides, in addition to cellulose, for rigidity and additional strength.
Manipulating this ‘molecular switch’ in such a way that primary and secondary cellulose production is delayed might be the key to enhancing biomass production for plant-based biofuels. "Most biofuel researchers believe that cellulose utilization offers the best path to sustainable ethanol production," explained Steve Scofield, co-author of the paper published recently by PNAS. "Our work uncovered a previously unknown mechanism that suggests a way to increase the amount of cellulose produced in plants."
The paper is available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0809408105 Read more at http://news.uns.purdue.edu/x/2008b/081217CarpitaRNA.html
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