ABSTRACT
Acetobacter xylinum has long been considered the most successful prokaryotic model for studies on the mechanism of cellulose biogene sis in the intact cell ( 1-6) . In recent years, since the advent of a highly active cell-free preparation for cellulose synthesis derived from this organism (7 - 9 ), we have had the privilege of taking a closer look inside this bacterial cell in examining the biochemistry of this process. The in vitro system we are working with is almost 500 times more active than previous preparations (c f. 6) and ap proaches 90% of the in vivo rate of cellulose synthesis. In this chapter we shall review developments in the enzymology of cellulose synthesis and its regulation. Upon embarking on a detailed discus sion of the various enzymes related to this system and their prod ucts, we felt it advantageous to provide firs t a b rie f overview of the interrelated nature of these components.
