ABSTRACT
This is a story of serendipity in science that relates to our continuing studies on the biosynthesis of cellulose in plants. There are only a few compounds characterized that cause relatively specific inhibition of cellulose synthesis in plants. The best characterized are 2,6-dichlorobenzonitrile (DCB) and isoxaben, yet even for these, the mode of action remains obscure. Basic knowledge concerning the mechanism of cellulose synthesis in plants, and also because compounds such as DCB can function as herbicides, characterization of putative receptors would seem to be a worthwhile goal. Thus, decided to attempt yet a different approach to this problem by selection of suspension-cultured plant cells resistant to the herbicide DCB. The chapter begins with the selections using suspension-cultured cells of tomato. In addition to the results described in the foregoing for a tomato cell line, additional cell lines of tobacco and barley were also successfully adapted to DCB.
