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ReportsCellulose Synthase-Like CslF Genes Mediate the Synthesis of Cell Wall (1,3;1,4)-ß-D-GlucansA characteristic feature of grasses and commercially important cereals is the presence of (1,3;1,4)-ß-D-glucans in their cell walls. We have used comparative genomics to link a major quantitative trait locus for (1,3;1,4)-ß-D-glucan content in barley grain to a cluster of cellulose synthaselike CslF genes in rice. After insertion of rice CslF genes into Arabidopsis, we detected (1,3;1,4)-ß-D-glucan in walls of transgenic plants using specific monoclonal antibodies and enzymatic analysis. Because wild-type Arabidopsis does not contain CslF genes or have (1,3;1,4)-ß-D-glucans in its walls, these experiments provide direct, gain-of-function evidence for the participation of rice CslF genes in (1,3;1,4)-ß-D-glucan biosynthesis.
1 Australian Centre for Plant Functional Genomics; School of Agriculture, Food, and Wine; University of Adelaide, Waite Campus, Glen Osmond, SA 5064, Australia. * To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: geoff.fincher{at}adelaide.edu.au
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Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)