Fast Breaking Comment by Deborah Delmer

Professor Deborah Delmer answers a few questions about this month's fast breaking paper in field of Plant & Animal Science.

From •>>December 2001

Field: Plant & Animal Science
Article Title: "A comparative analysis of the plant cellulose synthase (CesA) gene family"
Authors: Holland, N;Holland, D;Helentjaris, T;Dhugga, KS;Xoconostle-Cazares, B;Delmer, DP
Journal: PLANT PHYSIOL
Volume: 123
Page: 1313-1323
Year: AUG 2000
* Univ Calif Davis, Plant Biol Sect, Davis, CA 95616 USA.
* Univ Calif Davis, Plant Biol Sect, Davis, CA 95616 USA.
* Pioneer Hi Bred Int Inc, Johnston, IA 50131 USA.

Why do you think your paper is highly cited?

The topic, cellulose synthesis, has been a difficult one that is just now breaking open due partly to new approaches from genomics.

Does it describe a new discovery or methodology that's useful to others?

Yes—it describes 10 new cesa genes from maize and also provides insights into the evolution and role of the individual genes in cellulose synthesis.

Could you summarize the significance of your paper in layman's terms?

This paper presents new information on cesa genes in plants. These genes are critically involved in the biosynthesis of cellulose—the world's most abundant organic compound. The work characterizes the cesa gene family, including the discovery of nine such genes for the first time in a major crop plant, maize, and also discusses the evolution of the gene family and patterns of expression for various members of this gene family in maize and in the model plant arabidopsis.

Deborah P. Delmer
Professor
Section of Plant Biology
University of California Davis
One Shields Ave
Davis CA 95616-8537

ESI Special Topics, December 2001
Citing URL - http://www.esi-topics.com/fbp/comments/december-01-Deborah-Delmer.html