Manoj Kumar

Publications (2)17.58 Total impact

• Source

  Available from: Brian Ellis

  Article: An update on the nomenclature for the cellulose synthase genes in Populus.

  Manoj Kumar, Shivegowda Thammannagowda, Vincent Bulone, Vincent Chiang, Kyung-Hwan Han, Chandrashekhar P Joshi, Shawn D Mansfield, Ewa Mellerowicz, Björn Sundberg, Tuula Teeri, Brian E Ellis
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  ABSTRACT: Cellulose synthase (CesA) is a central catalyst in the generation of the plant cell wall biomass and is, therefore, the focus of intense research. Characterization of individual CesA genes from Populus species has led to the publication of several different naming conventions for CesA gene family members in this model tree. To help reduce the resulting confusion, we propose here a new phylogeny-based CesA nomenclature that aligns the Populus CesA gene family with the established Arabidopsis thaliana CesA family structure.
  Trends in Plant Science 05/2009; 14(5):248-54. · 11.05 Impact Factor
• Article: MAP20, a microtubule-associated protein in the secondary cell walls of hybrid aspen, is a target of the cellulose synthesis inhibitor 2,6-dichlorobenzonitrile.

  Alex S Rajangam, Manoj Kumar, Henrik Aspeborg, Gea Guerriero, Lars Arvestad, Podjamas Pansri, Christian J-L Brown, Sophia Hober, Kristina Blomqvist, Christina Divne, Ines Ezcurra, Ewa Mellerowicz, Björn Sundberg, Vincent Bulone, Tuula T Teeri
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  ABSTRACT: We have identified a gene, denoted PttMAP20, which is strongly up-regulated during secondary cell wall synthesis and tightly coregulated with the secondary wall-associated CESA genes in hybrid aspen (Populus tremula x tremuloides). Immunolocalization studies with affinity-purified antibodies specific for PttMAP20 revealed that the protein is found in all cell types in developing xylem and that it is most abundant in cells forming secondary cell walls. This PttMAP20 protein sequence contains a highly conserved TPX2 domain first identified in a microtubule-associated protein (MAP) in Xenopus laevis. Overexpression of PttMAP20 in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) leads to helical twisting of epidermal cells, frequently associated with MAPs. In addition, a PttMAP20-yellow fluorescent protein fusion protein expressed in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) leaves localizes to microtubules in leaf epidermal pavement cells. Recombinant PttMAP20 expressed in Escherichia coli also binds specifically to in vitro-assembled, taxol-stabilized bovine microtubules. Finally, the herbicide 2,6-dichlorobenzonitrile, which inhibits cellulose synthesis in plants, was found to bind specifically to PttMAP20. Together with the known function of cortical microtubules in orienting cellulose microfibrils, these observations suggest that PttMAP20 has a role in cellulose biosynthesis.
  Plant physiology 10/2008; 148(3):1283-94. · 6.53 Impact Factor