Cellulose synthase (UDP-forming)

In enzymology, a cellulose synthase (EC 2.4.1.12, UDP-glucose:(1→4)-β-D-glucan 4-β-D-glucosyltransferase) is an enzyme that catalyzes the chemical reaction

Thus, the two substrates of this enzyme are UDP-glucose and [(1→4)-β-D-glucosyl]_n, whereas its two products are UDP and [(1→4)-β-D-glucosyl]_n+1.

This enzyme is involved in the synthesis of cellulose. A similar enzyme utilizes GDP-glucose, cellulose synthase (GDP-forming) (EC 2.4.1.29).

Cellulose

Cellulose is an aggregation of unbranched polymer chains made of β-1,4-linked glucose residues that makes up a large portion of primary and secondary cell walls. Although important for plants, it is also synthesized by most algae, some bacteria, and some animals. Worldwide, 2 × 10^11 tons of cellulose microfibrils are produced, which serves as a critical source of renewable biofuels and other biological-based products, such as lumber, fuel, fodder, paper and cotton.

Purpose of cellulose

These microfibrils are made on the surface of cell membranes to reinforce cells walls, which has been researched extensively by plant biochemists and cell biologist because 1) they regulate cellular morphogenesis and 2) they serve alongside many other constituents (i.e. lignin, hemicellulose, pectin) in the cell wall as a strong structural support and cell shape. Without these support structures, cell growth would cause a cell to swell and spread in all directions, thus losing its shape viability