The Role of Tca-17 in Cellulose Synthase Complex Trafficking in Arabidopsis Thaliana

Jenna Patel

Cellulose is one of the main structural components in the primary cell walls of plants that provides plants with the mechanical strength to withstand external environmental forces. This biopolymer is synthesized at the plasma membrane (PM) by cellulose synthase complexes (CSC), which are made up of cellulose synthase proteins (CESA). Previous research has shown that CSC complexes and CESA proteins are found in the plasma membrane during synthesis; however, the assembly and trafficking of the CSCs to the PM are poorly understood1. TRAPP complexes are highly conserved protein complexes that may play a role in controlling the intracellular trafficking pathways2,3. In this study, we investigate the role Tca17, a TRAPPII and TRAPPIII specific subunit, may play in regulating CSC dynamics and compare its subcellular dynamics to Trs85, a TRAPPIII specific subunit4. Discovering a reduction in seven-day-old hypocotyls, a lower crystalline cellulose content in four-day-old hypocotyls, and no affect on the YFP-CESA6 particle density at the PM in prc1-1 tca17 mutant suggests that Tca17 is involved in cellulose synthesis at the PM, but in an independent role of Trs85.

Major: 
Biology
Exhibition Category: 
Health and Life Sciences
Exhibition Format: 
Poster Presentation
Campus: 
University Park
Faculty Sponsor: 
Ying Gu
Poster Number: 
204