Is cellulose synthesis enhanced by expression of sucrose sysnthesis in poplar?

Abstract

Sucrose synthase is believed to function in channeling UDP-glucosec from sucrose to various β-glucan synthases. Expression of sucrose synthase in popla enhanced the incorporation of radioactive sucrose into cellulose, together with the metabolic recycling of fructose. The overexpression also enhanced the direct incorporation of the glucosyl moiety of sucrose into the glucan backbone of xyloglucan and increased recycling of fructose. These findings suggest that some of the sucrose loaded into the phloem of a poplar leaf is used directly by sucrose synthase associated with xyloglucan and cellulose synthases in the stem which may be a key function of sucrose synthase. © 2006 Springer. All Rights Reserved.