Cellulose is necessary for biofilm formation in bacteria and is synthesized by the bacterial cellulose biosynthesis complex (Bcs) which is widespread among beta and gamma proteobacteria [1,2]. CBP_BcsR is a small subunit of this complex, essential for cellulose secretion [2]. It may play a regulatory role together with BcsQ subunit as they form a subcomplex with chaperone-like function toward each other [3]. BcsR stabilizes BcsQ to form monodisperse BcsR2Q2 heterotetramers in solution and BcsQ may play a role in the folding and subsequent stability of BcsR [3].

1: Bacterial cellulose biosynthesis: diversity of operons, subunits, products, and functions. Romling U, Galperin MY; Trends Microbiol. 2015;23:545-557. PMID:26077867

2: Insights into the structure and assembly of a bacterial cellulose secretion system. Krasteva PV, Bernal-Bayard J, Travier L, Martin FA, Kaminski PA, Karimova G, Fronzes R, Ghigo JM; Nat Commun. 2017;8:2065. PMID:29234007

3: Architecture and regulation of an enterobacterial cellulose secretion system. Abidi W, Zouhir S, Caleechurn M, Roche S, Krasteva PV; Sci Adv. 2021; [Epub ahead of print] PMID:33563593