Involvement of localized cortical microtubules in the formation of a modified structure of wood

Cambial cells differentiate into secondary xylem cells through a process of expansion or elongation, cell wall thickening, cell wall sculpturing, lignification, and cell death (formation of wood). The secondary xylem cells develop modifications of the cell wall such as pits, helical thickenings, perforations and warts, through the localized deposition of cell wall materials. Recent observations have revealed that the localized appearance or disappearance of cortical microtubules is related to the localized deposition of cellulose microfibrils in secondary xylem cells. Cortical microtubules play an important role in the morphogenesis of secondary xylem cells, thereby controlling the structure of wood. Therefore, cortical microtubules provide a target for biotechnological applications to change the quality of wood.