Regulation of cellulose synthesis in response to stress

•The plant cell regulates the synthesis of cellulose to adapt its growth to environmental stresses.•The synthesis of cellulose at the primary cell wall is directly regulated by BIN2.•Cellulose itself is a source of DAMPs for the plant cell.•Biotic and abiotic stresses target BIN2 to manipulate the BR signaling cascade.•Biotic and abiotic stresses alter the cortical microtubule network and thereby affect cellulose synthesis.

The cell wall is a complex polysaccharide network that provides stability and protection to the plant and is one of the first layers of biotic and abiotic stimuli perception. A controlled remodeling of the primary cell wall is essential for the plant to adapt its growth to environmental stresses. Cellulose, the main component of plant cell walls is synthesized by plasma membrane-localized cellulose synthases moving along cortical microtubule tracks. Recent advancements demonstrate a tight regulation of cellulose synthesis at the primary cell wall by phytohormone networks. Stress-induced perturbations at the cell wall that modify cellulose synthesis and microtubule arrangement activate similar phytohormone-based stress response pathways. The integration of stress perception at the primary cell wall and downstream responses are likely to be tightly regulated by phytohormone signaling pathways in the context of cellulose synthesis and microtubule arrangement.