Figure 9. Schematic model of how the STL proteins function in cellulose production.

In growing wild-type cells, the STL proteins are located to the Golgi. Here the proteins control the assembly of the CSCs. Once the CSCs are delivered to the plasma membrane they begin to synthesize cellulose. In the absence of the STL proteins the assembly of the CSCs is impaired, which cause aberrant localization of the complexes in the Golgi and that lead to defects in CSC trafficking to, and activity at, the plasma membrane.