# Genome-Wide Identification and Functional Characterization of CesA10 and CesA11 Genes Involved in Cellulose Biosynthesis in Sugarcane

## TL;DR

This study identifies and characterizes two sugarcane genes, SoCesA10 and SoCesA11, involved in cellulose production, which could help improve sugarcane's resistance to lodging.

## Contribution

The study identifies and functionally characterizes SoCesA10 and SoCesA11 as key genes for cellulose biosynthesis in sugarcane.

## Key findings

- SoCesA10 and SoCesA11 are highly expressed in mature sugarcane stems.
- Expression of SoCesA10 and SoCesA11 correlates with cellulose content in rice.
- These genes are grouped in a subclass related to secondary cell wall synthesis.

## Abstract

Cellulose is the primary component of plant cell walls, and its content is linked to the strength of plant stems. The cellulose synthase genes (CesA) are crucial for regulating cellulose biosynthesis. To examine the characteristics and functions of CesA genes in sugarcane, our study conducted a genome-wide analysis of the Saccharum officinarum LA-Purple genome. The results identified 10 CesA genes in the S. officinarum genome, which could be grouped into six categories. SoCesA10, SoCesA11, and SoCesA12 are clustered within the same subclass as genes involved in secondary cell wall synthesis in rice and Arabidopsis. Further transcriptome analysis of stems at different stages and sections showed that SoCesA10, SoCesA11, and SoCesA12 were highly expressed during mature stages. Among these, SoCesA10 and SoCesA11 showed differences in expression between species and organs. Their gene functions were also validated in rice, revealing that the expression of SoCesA10 and SoCesA11 was positively correlated with cellulose content. In summary, this study identified key cellulose biosynthesis genes, SoCesA10 and SoCesA11, in sugarcane and preliminarily confirmed their functions in rice, providing a foundation for breeding sugarcane with improved lodging resistance.