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Wang Y, Qin J, Wei M, Liao X, Shang W, Chen J, Subbarao KV, Hu X. Verticillium dahliae Elicitor VdSP8 Enhances Disease Resistance Through Increasing Lignin Biosynthesis in Cotton. PLANT, CELL & ENVIRONMENT 2024. [PMID: 39327679 DOI: 10.1111/pce.15170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2024] [Revised: 08/22/2024] [Accepted: 09/09/2024] [Indexed: 09/28/2024]
Abstract
Verticillium wilt caused by the soil-borne fungus Verticillium dahliae Kleb., is a destructive plant disease that instigates severe losses in many crops. Improving plant resistance to Verticillium wilt has been a challenge in most crops. In this study, a V. dahliae secreted protein VdSP8 was identified and shown to activate hyper-sensitive response (HR) and systemic acquired resistance (SAR) to Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000 (Pst DC3000) and Botrytis cinerea in tobacco plants. We identified a β-glucosidase named GhBGLU46 as a cotton plant target of VdSP8. VdSP8 interacts with GhBGLU46 both in vivo and in vitro and promotes the β-glucosidase activity of GhBGLU46. Silencing of GhBGLU46 reduced the expression of genes involved in lignin biosynthesis, such as GhCCR4, GhCCoAOMT2, GhCAD3 and GhCAD6, thus decreasing lignin deposition and increasing Verticillium wilt susceptibility. We have shown that GhBGLU46 is indispensable for the function of VdSP8 in plant resistance. These results suggest that plants have also evolved a strategy to exploit the invading effector protein VdSP8 to enhance plant resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yajuan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Resistance and High-Efficiency Production, Key Laboratory of Plant Protection Resources and Pest Integrated Management of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on Crops in Northwestern Loess Plateau of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, and College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Jun Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Resistance and High-Efficiency Production, Key Laboratory of Plant Protection Resources and Pest Integrated Management of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on Crops in Northwestern Loess Plateau of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, and College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Mengmeng Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Resistance and High-Efficiency Production, Key Laboratory of Plant Protection Resources and Pest Integrated Management of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on Crops in Northwestern Loess Plateau of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, and College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Xiwen Liao
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Resistance and High-Efficiency Production, Key Laboratory of Plant Protection Resources and Pest Integrated Management of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on Crops in Northwestern Loess Plateau of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, and College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Wenjing Shang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Resistance and High-Efficiency Production, Key Laboratory of Plant Protection Resources and Pest Integrated Management of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on Crops in Northwestern Loess Plateau of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, and College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Jieyin Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Krishna V Subbarao
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of California, Davis, c/o Sam Farr United States Crop Improvement and Protection Research Center, Salinas, California, USA
| | - Xiaoping Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Resistance and High-Efficiency Production, Key Laboratory of Plant Protection Resources and Pest Integrated Management of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on Crops in Northwestern Loess Plateau of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, and College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
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2
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Vanhevel Y, De Moor A, Muylle H, Vanholme R, Boerjan W. Breeding for improved digestibility and processing of lignocellulosic biomass in Zea mays. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2024; 15:1419796. [PMID: 39129761 PMCID: PMC11310149 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2024.1419796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 08/13/2024]
Abstract
Forage maize is a versatile crop extensively utilized for animal nutrition in agriculture and holds promise as a valuable resource for the production of fermentable sugars in the biorefinery sector. Within this context, the carbohydrate fraction of the lignocellulosic biomass undergoes deconstruction during ruminal digestion and the saccharification process. However, the cell wall's natural resistance towards enzymatic degradation poses a significant challenge during both processes. This so-called biomass recalcitrance is primarily attributed to the presence of lignin and ferulates in the cell walls. Consequently, maize varieties with a reduced lignin or ferulate content or an altered lignin composition can have important beneficial effects on cell wall digestibility. Considerable efforts in genetic improvement have been dedicated towards enhancing cell wall digestibility, benefiting agriculture, the biorefinery sector and the environment. In part I of this paper, we review conventional and advanced breeding methods used in the genetic improvement of maize germplasm. In part II, we zoom in on maize mutants with altered lignin for improved digestibility and biomass processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasmine Vanhevel
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Center for Plant Systems Biology, VIB, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Astrid De Moor
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Center for Plant Systems Biology, VIB, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Hilde Muylle
- Plant Sciences Unit, Institute for Agricultural and Fisheries Research, Melle, Belgium
| | - Ruben Vanholme
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Center for Plant Systems Biology, VIB, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Wout Boerjan
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Center for Plant Systems Biology, VIB, Ghent, Belgium
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3
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Boerjan W, Strauss SH. Social and biological innovations are essential to deliver transformative forest biotechnologies. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2024; 243:526-536. [PMID: 38803120 DOI: 10.1111/nph.19855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Forests make immense contributions to societies in the form of ecological services and sustainable industrial products. However, they face major challenges to their viability and economic use due to climate change and growing biotic and economic threats, for which recombinant DNA (rDNA) technology can sometimes provide solutions. But the application of rDNA technologies to forest trees faces major social and biological obstacles that make its societal acceptance a 'wicked' problem without straightforward solutions. We discuss the nature of these problems, and the social and biological innovations that we consider essential for progress. As case studies of biological challenges, we focus on studies of modifications in wood chemistry and transformation efficiency. We call for major innovations in regulations, and the dissolution of method-based market barriers, that together could lead to greater research investments, enable wide use of field studies, and facilitate the integration of rDNA-modified trees into conventional breeding programs. Without near-term adoption of such innovations, rDNA-based solutions will be largely unavailable to help forests adapt to the growing stresses from climate change and the proliferation of forest pests, nor will they be available to provide economic and environmental benefits from expanded use of wood and related bioproducts as part of an expanding bioeconomy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wout Boerjan
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Technologiepark 71, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
- Center for Plant Systems Biology, VIB, Technologiepark 71, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Steven H Strauss
- Department of Forest Ecosystems and Society, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA
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4
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Zhang R, Bai X, Chen Z, Chen M, Li X, Zeng B, Hu B. Physiological, Biochemical, and Molecular Analyses Reveal Dark Heartwood Formation Mechanism in Acacia melanoxylon. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4974. [PMID: 38732191 PMCID: PMC11084464 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25094974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2024] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Acacia melanoxylon is highly valued for its commercial applications, with the heartwood exhibiting a range of colors from dark to light among its various clones. The underlying mechanisms contributing to this color variation, however, have not been fully elucidated. In an effort to understand the factors that influence the development of dark heartwood, a comparative analysis was conducted on the microstructure, substance composition, differential gene expression, and metabolite profiles in the sapwood (SW), transition zone (TZ), and heartwood (HW) of two distinct clones, SR14 and SR25. A microscopic examination revealed that heartwood color variations are associated with an increased substance content within the ray parenchyma cells. A substance analysis indicated that the levels of starches, sugars, and lignin were more abundant in SP compared to HW, while the concentrations of phenols, flavonoids, and terpenoids were found to be higher in HW than in SP. Notably, the dark heartwood of the SR25 clone exhibited greater quantities of phenols and flavonoids compared to the SR14 clone, suggesting that these compounds are pivotal to the color distinction of the heartwood. An integrated analysis of transcriptome and metabolomics data uncovered a significant accumulation of sinapyl alcohol, sinapoyl aldehyde, hesperetin, 2', 3, 4, 4', 6'-peptahydroxychalcone 4'-O-glucoside, homoeriodictyol, and (2S)-liquiritigenin in the heartwood of SR25, which correlates with the up-regulated expression of CCRs (evm.TU.Chr3.1751, evm.TU.Chr4.654_667, evm.TU.Chr4.675, evm.TU.Chr4.699, and evm.TU.Chr4.704), COMTs (evm.TU.Chr13.3082, evm.TU.Chr13.3086, and evm.TU.Chr7.1411), CADs (evm.TU.Chr10.2175, evm.TU.Chr1.3453, and evm.TU.Chr8.1600), and HCTs (evm.TU.Chr4.1122, evm.TU.Chr4.1123, evm.TU.Chr8.1758, and evm.TU.Chr9.2960) in the TZ of A. melanoxylon. Furthermore, a marked differential expression of transcription factors (TFs), including MYBs, AP2/ERFs, bHLHs, bZIPs, C2H2s, and WRKYs, were observed to be closely linked to the phenols and flavonoids metabolites, highlighting the potential role of multiple TFs in regulating the biosynthesis of these metabolites and, consequently, influencing the color variation in the heartwood. This study facilitates molecular breeding for the accumulation of metabolites influencing the heartwood color in A. melanoxylon, and offers new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying heartwood formation in woody plants.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Bingshan Zeng
- Key Laboratory of State Forestry and Grassland Administration on Tropical Forestry, Research Institute of Tropical Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Guangzhou 510520, China; (R.Z.); (X.B.); (Z.C.); (M.C.); (X.L.)
| | - Bing Hu
- Key Laboratory of State Forestry and Grassland Administration on Tropical Forestry, Research Institute of Tropical Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Guangzhou 510520, China; (R.Z.); (X.B.); (Z.C.); (M.C.); (X.L.)
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5
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Zhu Y, Li L. Wood of trees: Cellular structure, molecular formation, and genetic engineering. JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE PLANT BIOLOGY 2024; 66:443-467. [PMID: 38032010 DOI: 10.1111/jipb.13589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
Wood is an invaluable asset to human society due to its renewable nature, making it suitable for both sustainable energy production and material manufacturing. Additionally, wood derived from forest trees plays a crucial role in sequestering a significant portion of the carbon dioxide fixed during photosynthesis by terrestrial plants. Nevertheless, with the expansion of the global population and ongoing industrialization, forest coverage has been substantially decreased, resulting in significant challenges for wood production and supply. Wood production practices have changed away from natural forests toward plantation forests. Thus, understanding the underlying genetic mechanisms of wood formation is the foundation for developing high-quality, fast-growing plantation trees. Breeding ideal forest trees for wood production using genetic technologies has attracted the interest of many. Tremendous studies have been carried out in recent years on the molecular, genetic, and cell-biological mechanisms of wood formation, and considerable progress and findings have been achieved. These studies and findings indicate enormous possibilities and prospects for tree improvement. This review will outline and assess the cellular and molecular mechanisms of wood formation, as well as studies on genetically improving forest trees, and address future development prospects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingying Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-ecosystems and College of Ecology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Laigeng Li
- National Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200032, China
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6
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Zhang S, Wang B, Li Q, Hui W, Yang L, Wang Z, Zhang W, Yue F, Liu N, Li H, Lu F, Zhang K, Zeng Q, Wu AM. CRISPR/Cas9 mutated p-coumaroyl shikimate 3'-hydroxylase 3 gene in Populus tomentosa reveals lignin functioning on supporting tree upright. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 253:126762. [PMID: 37683750 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.126762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023]
Abstract
The lignin plays one of the most important roles in plant secondary metabolism. However, it is still unclear how lignin can contribute to the impressive height of wood growth. In this study, C3'H, a rate-limiting enzyme of the lignin pathway, was used as the target gene. C3'H3 was knocked out by CRISPR/Cas9 in Populus tomentosa. Compared with wild-type popular trees, c3'h3 mutants exhibited dwarf phenotypes, collapsed xylem vessels, weakened phloem thickening, decreased hydraulic conductivity and photosynthetic efficiency, and reduced auxin content, except for reduced total lignin content and significantly increased H-subunit lignin. In the c3'h3 mutant, the flavonoid biosynthesis genes CHS, CHI, F3H, DFR, ANR, and LAR were upregulated, and flavonoid metabolite accumulations were detected, indicating that decreasing the lignin biosynthesis pathway enhanced flavonoid metabolic flux. Furthermore, flavonoid metabolites, such as naringenin and hesperetin, were largely increased, while higher hesperetin content suppressed plant cell division. Thus, studying the c3'h3 mutant allows us to deduce that lignin deficiency suppresses tree growth and leads to the dwarf phenotype due to collapsed xylem and thickened phloem, limiting material exchanges and transport.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sufang Zhang
- Guangdong Key Laboratory for Innovative Development and Utilization of Forest Plant Germplasm, College of Forestry and Landscape Architectures, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Bo Wang
- College of Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Qian Li
- Guangdong Key Laboratory for Innovative Development and Utilization of Forest Plant Germplasm, College of Forestry and Landscape Architectures, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Wenkai Hui
- Guangdong Key Laboratory for Innovative Development and Utilization of Forest Plant Germplasm, College of Forestry and Landscape Architectures, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Linjie Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Pulp and Paper Engineering, School of Light Industry and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Zhihua Wang
- Guangdong Key Laboratory for Innovative Development and Utilization of Forest Plant Germplasm, College of Forestry and Landscape Architectures, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Wenjuan Zhang
- Guangdong Key Laboratory for Innovative Development and Utilization of Forest Plant Germplasm, College of Forestry and Landscape Architectures, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Fengxia Yue
- State Key Laboratory of Pulp and Paper Engineering, School of Light Industry and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Nian Liu
- Guangdong Key Laboratory for Innovative Development and Utilization of Forest Plant Germplasm, College of Forestry and Landscape Architectures, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Huiling Li
- Guangdong Key Laboratory for Innovative Development and Utilization of Forest Plant Germplasm, College of Forestry and Landscape Architectures, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Fachuang Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Pulp and Paper Engineering, School of Light Industry and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China; Department of Biochemistry and Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, The Wisconsin Energy Institute, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53726, USA
| | - Kewei Zhang
- College of Chemistry and Life Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, Zhejiang 321004, China
| | - Qingyin Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing 100091, China.
| | - Ai-Min Wu
- Guangdong Key Laboratory for Innovative Development and Utilization of Forest Plant Germplasm, College of Forestry and Landscape Architectures, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China.
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7
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Hoengenaert L, Van Doorsselaere J, Vanholme R, Boerjan W. Microparticle-mediated CRISPR DNA delivery for genome editing in poplar. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1286663. [PMID: 38023888 PMCID: PMC10679337 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1286663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
The use of CRISPR/Cas9 is currently the method of choice for precise genome engineering in plants, including in the biomass crop poplar. The most commonly used method for delivering CRISPR/Cas9 and its components in poplar is via Agrobacterium-mediated transformation, that besides the desired gene-editing event also results in stable T-DNA integration. Here we explore the delivery of the gene-editing reagents via DNA-coated microparticle bombardment into the model tree Populus tremula x P. alba to evaluate its potential for developing transgene-free, gene-edited trees, as well as its potential for integrating donor DNA at specific target sites. Using an optimized transformation method, which favors the regeneration of plants that transiently express the genes on the delivered donor DNA, we regenerated gene-edited plants that are free of the Cas9 and the antibiotic resistance-encoding transgenes. In addition, we report the frequent integration of donor DNA fragments at the Cas9-induced double-strand break, opening opportunities toward targeted gene insertions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lennart Hoengenaert
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Center for Plant Systems Biology, VIB, Ghent, Belgium
| | | | - Ruben Vanholme
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Center for Plant Systems Biology, VIB, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Wout Boerjan
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Center for Plant Systems Biology, VIB, Ghent, Belgium
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8
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Bernacki MJ, Mielecki J, Antczak A, Drożdżek M, Witoń D, Dąbrowska-Bronk J, Gawroński P, Burdiak P, Marchwicka M, Rusaczonek A, Dąbkowska-Susfał K, Strobel WR, Mellerowicz EJ, Zawadzki J, Szechyńska-Hebda M, Karpiński S. Biotechnological Potential of the Stress Response and Plant Cell Death Regulators Proteins in the Biofuel Industry. Cells 2023; 12:2018. [PMID: 37626829 PMCID: PMC10453534 DOI: 10.3390/cells12162018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Production of biofuel from lignocellulosic biomass is relatively low due to the limited knowledge about natural cell wall loosening and cellulolytic processes in plants. Industrial separation of cellulose fiber mass from lignin, its saccharification and alcoholic fermentation is still cost-ineffective and environmentally unfriendly. Assuming that the green transformation is inevitable and that new sources of raw materials for biofuels are needed, we decided to study cell death-a natural process occurring in plants in the context of reducing the recalcitrance of lignocellulose for the production of second-generation bioethanol. "Members of the enzyme families responsible for lysigenous aerenchyma formation were identified during the root hypoxia stress in Arabidopsis thaliana cell death mutants. The cell death regulatory genes, LESION SIMULATING DISEASE 1 (LSD1), PHYTOALEXIN DEFICIENT 4 (PAD4) and ENHANCED DISEASE SUSCEPTIBILITY 1 (EDS1) conditionally regulate the cell wall when suppressed in transgenic aspen. During four years of growth in the field, the following effects were observed: lignin content was reduced, the cellulose fiber polymerization degree increased and the growth itself was unaffected. The wood of transgenic trees was more efficient as a substrate for saccharification, alcoholic fermentation and bioethanol production. The presented results may trigger the development of novel biotechnologies in the biofuel industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maciej Jerzy Bernacki
- Department of Plant Genetics, Breeding and Biotechnology, Institute of Biology, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Nowoursynowska Street 159, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland; (M.J.B.); (J.M.); (D.W.); (P.G.); (P.B.)
- Institute of Technology and Life Sciences—National Research Institute, Falenty, Al. Hrabska 3, 05-090 Raszyn, Poland;
| | - Jakub Mielecki
- Department of Plant Genetics, Breeding and Biotechnology, Institute of Biology, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Nowoursynowska Street 159, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland; (M.J.B.); (J.M.); (D.W.); (P.G.); (P.B.)
| | - Andrzej Antczak
- Institute of Wood Sciences and Furniture, Warsaw University of Life Sciences—SGGW, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland; (A.A.); (M.D.); (M.M.); (J.Z.)
| | - Michał Drożdżek
- Institute of Wood Sciences and Furniture, Warsaw University of Life Sciences—SGGW, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland; (A.A.); (M.D.); (M.M.); (J.Z.)
| | - Damian Witoń
- Department of Plant Genetics, Breeding and Biotechnology, Institute of Biology, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Nowoursynowska Street 159, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland; (M.J.B.); (J.M.); (D.W.); (P.G.); (P.B.)
| | - Joanna Dąbrowska-Bronk
- Department of Plant Physiology, Institute of Biology, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Piotr Gawroński
- Department of Plant Genetics, Breeding and Biotechnology, Institute of Biology, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Nowoursynowska Street 159, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland; (M.J.B.); (J.M.); (D.W.); (P.G.); (P.B.)
| | - Paweł Burdiak
- Department of Plant Genetics, Breeding and Biotechnology, Institute of Biology, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Nowoursynowska Street 159, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland; (M.J.B.); (J.M.); (D.W.); (P.G.); (P.B.)
| | - Monika Marchwicka
- Institute of Wood Sciences and Furniture, Warsaw University of Life Sciences—SGGW, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland; (A.A.); (M.D.); (M.M.); (J.Z.)
| | - Anna Rusaczonek
- Department of Botany, Institute of Biology, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland;
| | | | - Wacław Roman Strobel
- Institute of Technology and Life Sciences—National Research Institute, Falenty, Al. Hrabska 3, 05-090 Raszyn, Poland;
| | - Ewa J. Mellerowicz
- Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology, Umeå Plant Science Centre, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 901-83 Umeå, Sweden;
| | - Janusz Zawadzki
- Institute of Wood Sciences and Furniture, Warsaw University of Life Sciences—SGGW, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland; (A.A.); (M.D.); (M.M.); (J.Z.)
| | | | - Stanisław Karpiński
- Department of Plant Genetics, Breeding and Biotechnology, Institute of Biology, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Nowoursynowska Street 159, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland; (M.J.B.); (J.M.); (D.W.); (P.G.); (P.B.)
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9
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Guo Y, Wang S, Yu K, Wang HL, Xu H, Song C, Zhao Y, Wen J, Fu C, Li Y, Wang S, Zhang X, Zhang Y, Cao Y, Shao F, Wang X, Deng X, Chen T, Zhao Q, Li L, Wang G, Grünhofer P, Schreiber L, Li Y, Song G, Dixon RA, Lin J. Manipulating microRNA miR408 enhances both biomass yield and saccharification efficiency in poplar. Nat Commun 2023; 14:4285. [PMID: 37463897 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-39930-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The conversion of lignocellulosic feedstocks to fermentable sugar for biofuel production is inefficient, and most strategies to enhance efficiency directly target lignin biosynthesis, with associated negative growth impacts. Here we demonstrate, for both laboratory- and field-grown plants, that expression of Pag-miR408 in poplar (Populus alba × P. glandulosa) significantly enhances saccharification, with no requirement for acid-pretreatment, while promoting plant growth. The overexpression plants show increased accessibility of cell walls to cellulase and scaffoldin cellulose-binding modules. Conversely, Pag-miR408 loss-of-function poplar shows decreased cell wall accessibility. Overexpression of Pag-miR408 targets three Pag-LACCASES, delays lignification, and modestly reduces lignin content, S/G ratio and degree of lignin polymerization. Meanwhile, the LACCASE loss of function mutants exhibit significantly increased growth and cell wall accessibility in xylem. Our study shows how Pag-miR408 regulates lignification and secondary growth, and suggest an effective approach towards enhancing biomass yield and saccharification efficiency in a major bioenergy crop.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yayu Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Shufang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China
- Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100093, China
| | - Keji Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Hou-Ling Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Huimin Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China
- College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Chengwei Song
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China
- College of Agriculture, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, 471003, China
| | - Yuanyuan Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Jialong Wen
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Lignocellulosic Chemistry, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Chunxiang Fu
- Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, 266101, China
| | - Yu Li
- Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, 266101, China
| | - Shuizhong Wang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Lignocellulosic Chemistry, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Xi Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Yuan Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing, 100091, China
| | - Fenjuan Shao
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing, 100091, China
| | - Xiaohua Wang
- Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100093, China
| | - Xin Deng
- Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100093, China
| | - Tong Chen
- Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100093, China
| | - Qiao Zhao
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Lei Li
- School of Life Sciences and School of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Guodong Wang
- National Centre for Plant Gene Research (Beijing), Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Paul Grünhofer
- Department of Ecophysiology, Institute of Cellular and Molecular Botany, University of Bonn, Kirschallee 1, 53115, Bonn, Germany
| | - Lukas Schreiber
- Department of Ecophysiology, Institute of Cellular and Molecular Botany, University of Bonn, Kirschallee 1, 53115, Bonn, Germany
| | - Yue Li
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Guoyong Song
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Lignocellulosic Chemistry, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Richard A Dixon
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China.
- BioDiscovery Institute and Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Texas, Denton, TX, 76203, USA.
| | - Jinxing Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China.
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10
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Donev EN, Derba‐Maceluch M, Yassin Z, Gandla ML, Pramod S, Heinonen E, Kumar V, Scheepers G, Vilaplana F, Johansson U, Hertzberg M, Sundberg B, Winestrand S, Hörnberg A, Alriksson B, Jönsson LJ, Mellerowicz EJ. Field testing of transgenic aspen from large greenhouse screening identifies unexpected winners. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2023; 21:1005-1021. [PMID: 36668687 PMCID: PMC10106850 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.14012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Revised: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Trees constitute promising renewable feedstocks for biorefinery using biochemical conversion, but their recalcitrance restricts their attractiveness for the industry. To obtain trees with reduced recalcitrance, large-scale genetic engineering experiments were performed in hybrid aspen blindly targeting genes expressed during wood formation and 32 lines representing seven constructs were selected for characterization in the field. Here we report phenotypes of five-year old trees considering 49 traits related to growth and wood properties. The best performing construct considering growth and glucose yield in saccharification with acid pretreatment had suppressed expression of the gene encoding an uncharacterized 2-oxoglutarate-dependent dioxygenase (2OGD). It showed minor changes in wood chemistry but increased nanoporosity and glucose conversion. Suppressed levels of SUCROSE SYNTHASE, (SuSy), CINNAMATE 4-HYDROXYLASE (C4H) and increased levels of GTPase activating protein for ADP-ribosylation factor ZAC led to significant growth reductions and anatomical abnormalities. However, C4H and SuSy constructs greatly improved glucose yields in saccharification without and with pretreatment, respectively. Traits associated with high glucose yields were different for saccharification with and without pretreatment. While carbohydrates, phenolics and tension wood contents positively impacted the yields without pretreatment and growth, lignin content and S/G ratio were negative factors, the yields with pretreatment positively correlated with S lignin and negatively with carbohydrate contents. The genotypes with high glucose yields had increased nanoporosity and mGlcA/Xyl ratio, and some had shorter polymers extractable with subcritical water compared to wild-type. The pilot-scale industrial-like pretreatment of best-performing 2OGD construct confirmed its superior sugar yields, supporting our strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evgeniy N. Donev
- Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology, Umeå Plant Science CentreSwedish University of Agricultural SciencesUmeåSweden
| | - Marta Derba‐Maceluch
- Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology, Umeå Plant Science CentreSwedish University of Agricultural SciencesUmeåSweden
| | - Zakiya Yassin
- Enhet Produktionssystem och MaterialRISE Research Institutes of SwedenVäxjöSweden
| | | | - Sivan Pramod
- Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology, Umeå Plant Science CentreSwedish University of Agricultural SciencesUmeåSweden
- Division of Glycoscience, Department of ChemistryKTH Royal Institute of Technology, AlbaNova University CentreStockholmSweden
| | - Emilia Heinonen
- Division of Glycoscience, Department of ChemistryKTH Royal Institute of Technology, AlbaNova University CentreStockholmSweden
- Wallenberg Wood Science Centre (WWSC)KTH Royal Institute of TechnologyStockholmSweden
| | - Vikash Kumar
- Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology, Umeå Plant Science CentreSwedish University of Agricultural SciencesUmeåSweden
| | - Gerhard Scheepers
- Enhet Produktionssystem och MaterialRISE Research Institutes of SwedenVäxjöSweden
| | - Francisco Vilaplana
- Division of Glycoscience, Department of ChemistryKTH Royal Institute of Technology, AlbaNova University CentreStockholmSweden
- Wallenberg Wood Science Centre (WWSC)KTH Royal Institute of TechnologyStockholmSweden
| | - Ulf Johansson
- Tönnersjöheden Experimental ForestSwedish University of Agricultural SciencesSimlångsdalenSweden
| | | | - Björn Sundberg
- Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology, Umeå Plant Science CentreSwedish University of Agricultural SciencesUmeåSweden
| | | | | | | | | | - Ewa J. Mellerowicz
- Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology, Umeå Plant Science CentreSwedish University of Agricultural SciencesUmeåSweden
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11
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Escamez S, Robinson KM, Luomaranta M, Gandla ML, Mähler N, Yassin Z, Grahn T, Scheepers G, Stener LG, Jansson S, Jönsson LJ, Street NR, Tuominen H. Genetic markers and tree properties predicting wood biorefining potential in aspen (Populus tremula) bioenergy feedstock. BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR BIOFUELS AND BIOPRODUCTS 2023; 16:65. [PMID: 37038157 PMCID: PMC10088276 DOI: 10.1186/s13068-023-02315-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 04/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Wood represents the majority of the biomass on land and constitutes a renewable source of biofuels and other bioproducts. However, wood is recalcitrant to bioconversion, raising a need for feedstock improvement in production of, for instance, biofuels. We investigated the properties of wood that affect bioconversion, as well as the underlying genetics, to help identify superior tree feedstocks for biorefining. RESULTS We recorded 65 wood-related and growth traits in a population of 113 natural aspen genotypes from Sweden ( https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.gtht76hrd ). These traits included three growth and field performance traits, 20 traits for wood chemical composition, 17 traits for wood anatomy and structure, and 25 wood saccharification traits as indicators of bioconversion potential. Glucose release after saccharification with acidic pretreatment correlated positively with tree stem height and diameter and the carbohydrate content of the wood, and negatively with the content of lignin and the hemicellulose sugar units. Most of these traits displayed extensive natural variation within the aspen population and high broad-sense heritability, supporting their potential in genetic improvement of feedstocks towards improved bioconversion. Finally, a genome-wide association study (GWAS) revealed 13 genetic loci for saccharification yield (on a whole-tree-biomass basis), with six of them intersecting with associations for either height or stem diameter of the trees. CONCLUSIONS The simple growth traits of stem height and diameter were identified as good predictors of wood saccharification yield in aspen trees. GWAS elucidated the underlying genetics, revealing putative genetic markers for bioconversion of bioenergy tree feedstocks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sacha Escamez
- Department of Plant Physiology, Umeå Plant Science Centre (UPSC), Umeå University, 901 87, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Kathryn M Robinson
- Department of Plant Physiology, Umeå Plant Science Centre (UPSC), Umeå University, 901 87, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Mikko Luomaranta
- Department of Plant Physiology, Umeå Plant Science Centre (UPSC), Umeå University, 901 87, Umeå, Sweden
| | | | - Niklas Mähler
- Department of Plant Physiology, Umeå Plant Science Centre (UPSC), Umeå University, 901 87, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Zakiya Yassin
- RISE AB, Drottning Kristinas Väg 61 B, 114 28, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Thomas Grahn
- RISE AB, Drottning Kristinas Väg 61 B, 114 28, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Lars-Göran Stener
- The Forestry Research Institute of Sweden, Ekebo, 268 90, Svalöv, Sweden
| | - Stefan Jansson
- Department of Plant Physiology, Umeå Plant Science Centre (UPSC), Umeå University, 901 87, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Leif J Jönsson
- Department of Chemistry, Umeå University, 901 87, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Nathaniel R Street
- Department of Plant Physiology, Umeå Plant Science Centre (UPSC), Umeå University, 901 87, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Hannele Tuominen
- Department of Plant Physiology, Umeå Plant Science Centre (UPSC), Umeå University, 901 87, Umeå, Sweden.
- Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology, Umeå Plant Science Centre (UPSC), Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 901 83, Umeå, Sweden.
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12
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Anders C, Hoengenaert L, Boerjan W. Accelerating wood domestication in forest trees through genome editing: Advances and prospects. CURRENT OPINION IN PLANT BIOLOGY 2023; 71:102329. [PMID: 36586396 PMCID: PMC7614060 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbi.2022.102329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Revised: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The high economic value of wood requires intensive breeding towards multipurpose biomass. However, long breeding cycles hamper the fast development of novel tree varieties that have improved biomass properties, are tolerant to biotic and abiotic stresses, and resilient to climate change. To speed up domestication, the integration of conventional breeding and new breeding techniques is needed. In this review, we discuss recent advances in genome editing and Cas-DNA-free genome engineering of forest trees, and briefly discuss how multiplex editing combined with multi-omics approaches can accelerate the genetic improvement of forest trees, with a focus on wood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chantal Anders
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, 9052 Ghent, Belgium; VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Lennart Hoengenaert
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, 9052 Ghent, Belgium; VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Wout Boerjan
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, 9052 Ghent, Belgium; VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, 9052 Ghent, Belgium.
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13
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Sharma M, Bhushan S, Sharma D, Kaul S, Dhar MK. A Brief Review of Plant Cell Transfection, Gene Transcript Expression, and Genotypic Integration for Enhancing Compound Production. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2575:153-179. [PMID: 36301475 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2716-7_8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Plants possess a plethora of important secondary metabolites, which are unique sources of natural pigments, pharmaceutical compounds, food additives, natural pesticides, and other industrial components. The commercial significance of such metabolites/compounds has directed the research toward their production and exploration of methods for enhancement of production. Biotechnological tools are critical in selecting, integrating, multiplying, improving, and analyzing medicinal plants for secondary metabolite production. Out of many techniques that are being explored to enhance secondary metabolite production, "plant cell transfection" is the latest tool to achieve maximum output from the plant source. It is based upon the introduction of foreign DNA into the plant cell relying on physical treatment such as electroporation, cell squeezing, sonoporation, optical transfection nanoparticles, magnetofection, and chemical treatment or biological treatment that depends upon carrier. One of the promising tools that have been exploited is CRISPR-Cas9. Overall, the abovementioned tools focus on the stable transfection of desired gene transcripts. Since the integration and continuous expression of transfected gene of particular trait represents stable transfection of host cell genome, resulting from transfer of required trait to daughter cells ultimately leading to enhanced production of secondary metabolites of interest. This chapter will review a set of biotechnological tools that are candidates for achieving the enhanced bioactive compound production indicated here to be used for drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Munish Sharma
- Department of Plant Sciences, Central University of Himachal Pradesh, Shahpur, Kangra, Himachal Pradesh, India.
| | - Sakshi Bhushan
- Department of Botany, Central University of Jammu, Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir, India
| | - Deepak Sharma
- Genome Research Laboratory, School of Biotechnology, University of Jammu, Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir, India
| | - Sanjana Kaul
- Genome Research Laboratory, School of Biotechnology, University of Jammu, Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir, India
| | - Manoj K Dhar
- Genome Research Laboratory, School of Biotechnology, University of Jammu, Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir, India
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14
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De Meester B, Van Acker R, Wouters M, Traversari S, Steenackers M, Neukermans J, Van Breusegem F, Déjardin A, Pilate G, Boerjan W. Field and saccharification performances of poplars severely downregulated in CAD1. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2022; 236:2075-2090. [PMID: 35808905 DOI: 10.1111/nph.18366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Lignin is one of the main factors causing lignocellulosic biomass recalcitrance to enzymatic hydrolysis. Glasshouse-grown poplars severely downregulated for CINNAMYL ALCOHOL DEHYDROGENASE 1 (CAD1), the enzyme catalysing the last step in the monolignol-specific branch of lignin biosynthesis, have increased saccharification yields and normal growth. Here, we assess the performance of these hpCAD poplars in the field under short rotation coppice culture for two consecutive rotations of 1 yr and 3 yr. While 1-yr-old hpCAD wood had 10% less lignin, 3-yr-old hpCAD wood had wild-type lignin levels. Because of their altered cell wall composition, including elevated levels of cinnamaldehydes, both 1-yr-old and 3-yr-old hpCAD wood showed enhanced saccharification yields upon harsh alkaline pretreatments (up to +85% and +77%, respectively). In contrast with previous field trials with poplars less severely downregulated for CINNAMYL ALCOHOL DEHYDROGENASE (CAD), the hpCAD poplars displayed leaning phenotypes, early bud set, early flowering and yield penalties. Moreover, hpCAD wood had enlarged vessels, decreased wood density and reduced relative and free water contents. Our data show that the phenotypes of CAD-deficient poplars are strongly dependent on the environment and underpin the importance of field trials in translating basic research towards applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara De Meester
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Technologiepark 71, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Technologiepark 71, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Rebecca Van Acker
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Technologiepark 71, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Technologiepark 71, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Marlies Wouters
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Technologiepark 71, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Technologiepark 71, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Silvia Traversari
- BioLabs, Institute of Life Sciences, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Piazza Martiri della Libertà 33, 56127, Pisa, Italy
- Research Institute on Terrestrial Ecosytems (IRET-CNR), Via Moruzzi 1, 56124, Pisa, Italy
| | - Marijke Steenackers
- Research Institute for Nature and Forest (INBO), Gaverstraat 4, 9500, Geraardsbergen, Belgium
| | - Jenny Neukermans
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Technologiepark 71, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Technologiepark 71, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Frank Van Breusegem
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Technologiepark 71, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Technologiepark 71, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Annabelle Déjardin
- INRAE, ONF, BioForA Orléans, 2163 Avenue de la pomme de pin, 45075, Ardon, France
| | - Gilles Pilate
- INRAE, ONF, BioForA Orléans, 2163 Avenue de la pomme de pin, 45075, Ardon, France
| | - Wout Boerjan
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Technologiepark 71, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Technologiepark 71, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
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15
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De Meester B, Vanholme R, Mota T, Boerjan W. Lignin engineering in forest trees: From gene discovery to field trials. PLANT COMMUNICATIONS 2022; 3:100465. [PMID: 36307984 PMCID: PMC9700206 DOI: 10.1016/j.xplc.2022.100465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Revised: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Wood is an abundant and renewable feedstock for the production of pulp, fuels, and biobased materials. However, wood is recalcitrant toward deconstruction into cellulose and simple sugars, mainly because of the presence of lignin, an aromatic polymer that shields cell-wall polysaccharides. Hence, numerous research efforts have focused on engineering lignin amount and composition to improve wood processability. Here, we focus on results that have been obtained by engineering the lignin biosynthesis and branching pathways in forest trees to reduce cell-wall recalcitrance, including the introduction of exotic lignin monomers. In addition, we draw general conclusions from over 20 years of field trial research with trees engineered to produce less or altered lignin. We discuss possible causes and solutions for the yield penalty that is often associated with lignin engineering in trees. Finally, we discuss how conventional and new breeding strategies can be combined to develop elite clones with desired lignin properties. We conclude this review with priorities for the development of commercially relevant lignin-engineered trees.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara De Meester
- Ghent University, Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Technologiepark 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium; VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Technologiepark 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Ruben Vanholme
- Ghent University, Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Technologiepark 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium; VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Technologiepark 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Thatiane Mota
- Ghent University, Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Technologiepark 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium; VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Technologiepark 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Wout Boerjan
- Ghent University, Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Technologiepark 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium; VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Technologiepark 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium.
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16
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Fan C, Zhang W, Guo Y, Sun K, Wang L, Luo K. Overexpression of PtoMYB115 improves lignocellulose recalcitrance to enhance biomass digestibility and bioethanol yield by specifically regulating lignin biosynthesis in transgenic poplar. BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR BIOFUELS AND BIOPRODUCTS 2022; 15:119. [PMCID: PMC9636778 DOI: 10.1186/s13068-022-02218-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Woody plants provide the most abundant biomass resource that is convertible for biofuels. Since lignin is a crucial recalcitrant factor against lignocellulose hydrolysis, genetic engineering of lignin biosynthesis is considered as a promising solution. Many MYB transcription factors have been identified to involve in the regulation of cell wall formation or phenylpropanoid pathway. In a previous study, we identified that PtoMYB115 contributes to the regulation of proanthocyanidin pathway, however, little is known about its role in lignocellulose biosynthesis and biomass saccharification in poplar.
Results
Here, we detected the changes of cell wall features and examined biomass enzymatic saccharification for bioethanol production under various chemical pretreatments in PtoMYB115 transgenic plants. We reported that PtoMYB115 might specifically regulate lignin biosynthesis to affect xylem development. Overexpression of PtoMYB115 altered lignin biosynthetic gene expression, resulting in reduced lignin deposition, raised S/G and beta-O-4 linkage, resulting in a significant reduction in cellulase adsorption with lignin and an increment in cellulose accessibility. These alterations consequently improved lignocellulose recalcitrance for significantly enhanced biomass saccharification and bioethanol yield in the PtoMYB115-OE transgenic lines. In contrast, the knockout of PtoMYB115 by CRISPR/Cas9 showed reduced woody utilization under various chemical pretreatments.
Conclusions
This study shows that PtoMYB115 plays an important role in specifically regulating lignin biosynthesis and improving lignocellulose features. The enhanced biomass saccharification and bioethanol yield in the PtoMYB115-OE lines suggests that PtoMYB115 is a candidate gene for genetic modification to facilitate the utilization of biomass.
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17
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Cao S, Guo M, Cheng J, Cheng H, Liu X, Ji H, Liu G, Cheng Y, Yang C. Aspartic proteases modulate programmed cell death and secondary cell wall synthesis during wood formation in poplar. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2022; 73:6876-6890. [PMID: 36040843 PMCID: PMC9629783 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erac347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Programmed cell death (PCD) is essential for wood development in trees. However, the determination of crucial factors involved in xylem PCD of wood development is still lacking. Here, two Populus trichocarpa typical aspartic protease (AP) genes, AP17 and AP45, modulate xylem maturation, especially fibre PCD, during wood formation. AP17 and AP45 were dominantly expressed in the fibres of secondary xylem, as suggested by GUS expression in APpro::GUS transgenic plants. Cas9/gRNA-induced AP17 or AP45 mutants delayed secondary xylem fibre PCD, and ap17ap45 double mutants showed more serious defects. Conversely, AP17 overexpression caused premature PCD in secondary xylem fibres, indicating a positive modulation in wood fibre PCD. Loss of AP17 and AP45 did not alter wood fibre wall thickness, whereas the ap17ap45 mutants showed a low lignin content in wood. However, AP17 overexpression led to a significant decrease in wood fibre wall thickness and lignin content, revealing the involvement in secondary cell wall synthesis during wood formation. In addition, the ap17ap45 mutant and AP17 overexpression plants resulted in a significant increase in saccharification yield in wood. Overall, AP17 and AP45 are crucial modulators in xylem maturation during wood development, providing potential candidate genes for engineering lignocellulosic wood for biofuel utilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shenquan Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Mengjie Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Jiyao Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Hao Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Xiaomeng Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Huanhuan Ji
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Guanjun Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
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18
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Zhao X, Li P, Liu X, Xu T, Zhang Y, Meng H, Xia T. High temperature increased lignin contents of poplar (Populus spp) stem via inducing the synthesis caffeate and coniferaldehyde. Front Genet 2022; 13:1007513. [PMID: 36160001 PMCID: PMC9500204 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.1007513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Lignin contributes to plant resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses and is dominantly regulated by enzymes which catalyze the generation of metabolites intermediates in lignin synthesis. However, the response of lignin and its key regulatory factors to high temperature stress are poorly understood. Here, this finding revealed that the content of lignin in poplar (Populus spp) stem increased after 3 days of high temperature stress treatment. In fourteen metabolic intermediates of lignin biosynthetic pathway with targeted metabolomics analysis, caffeate and coniferaldehyde increased evidently upon heat stress. C3’H (p-Coumaroylshikimate 3-hydroxylase) and CCR (Cinnamoyl-CoA reductase) are recognized to catalyze the formation of caffeate and coniferaldehyde, respectively. Transcriptome data and RT-qPCR (reverse transcription-quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction) analysis uncovered the high transcriptional level of PtrMYBs (PtrMYB021, PtrMYB074, PtrMYB85, PtrMYB46), PtrC3’H1 (Potri.006G033300) and PtrCCR2 (Potri.003G181400), suggesting that they played the vital role in the increase of lignin and its metabolic intermediates were induced by high temperature. The discovery of key regulators and metabolic intermediates in lignin pathway that respond to high temperature provides a theoretical basis for quality improvement of lignin and the application of forest resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianyan Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Biobased Material and Green Papermaking, School of Bioengineering, Qilu University of Technology, Jinan, China
| | - Panpan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Biobased Material and Green Papermaking, School of Bioengineering, Qilu University of Technology, Jinan, China
| | - Xingwang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Biobased Material and Green Papermaking, School of Bioengineering, Qilu University of Technology, Jinan, China
| | - Tianyu Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Biobased Material and Green Papermaking, School of Bioengineering, Qilu University of Technology, Jinan, China
| | - Yuqing Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biobased Material and Green Papermaking, School of Bioengineering, Qilu University of Technology, Jinan, China
| | - Haifeng Meng
- Tai’an Forestry Protection and Development Center, Tai’an, China
| | - Tao Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Biobased Material and Green Papermaking, School of Bioengineering, Qilu University of Technology, Jinan, China
- *Correspondence: Tao Xia,
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19
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De Meester B, Oyarce P, Vanholme R, Van Acker R, Tsuji Y, Vangeel T, Van den Bosch S, Van Doorsselaere J, Sels B, Ralph J, Boerjan W. Engineering Curcumin Biosynthesis in Poplar Affects Lignification and Biomass Yield. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:943349. [PMID: 35860528 PMCID: PMC9289561 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.943349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Lignocellulosic biomass is recalcitrant toward deconstruction into simple sugars mainly due to the presence of lignin. By engineering plants to partially replace traditional lignin monomers with alternative ones, lignin degradability and extractability can be enhanced. Previously, the alternative monomer curcumin has been successfully produced and incorporated into lignified cell walls of Arabidopsis by the heterologous expression of DIKETIDE-CoA SYNTHASE (DCS) and CURCUMIN SYNTHASE2 (CURS2). The resulting transgenic plants did not suffer from yield penalties and had an increased saccharification yield after alkaline pretreatment. Here, we translated this strategy into the bio-energy crop poplar. Via the heterologous expression of DCS and CURS2 under the control of the secondary cell wall CELLULOSE SYNTHASE A8-B promoter (ProCesA8-B), curcumin was also produced and incorporated into the lignified cell walls of poplar. ProCesA8-B:DCS_CURS2 transgenic poplars, however, suffered from shoot-tip necrosis and yield penalties. Compared to that of the wild-type (WT), the wood of transgenic poplars had 21% less cellulose, 28% more matrix polysaccharides, 23% more lignin and a significantly altered lignin composition. More specifically, ProCesA8-B:DCS_CURS2 lignin had a reduced syringyl/guaiacyl unit (S/G) ratio, an increased frequency of p-hydroxyphenyl (H) units, a decreased frequency of p-hydroxybenzoates and a higher fraction of phenylcoumaran units. Without, or with alkaline or hot water pretreatment, the saccharification efficiency of the transgenic lines was equal to that of the WT. These differences in (growth) phenotype illustrate that translational research in crops is essential to assess the value of an engineering strategy for applications. Further fine-tuning of this research strategy (e.g., by using more specific promoters or by translating this strategy to other crops such as maize) might lead to transgenic bio-energy crops with cell walls more amenable to deconstruction without settling in yield.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara De Meester
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Paula Oyarce
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Ruben Vanholme
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Rebecca Van Acker
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Yukiko Tsuji
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States
- US Department of Energy, Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, Wisconsin Energy Institute, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Thijs Vangeel
- Center for Sustainable Catalysis and Engineering, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | | | - Bert Sels
- Center for Sustainable Catalysis and Engineering, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - John Ralph
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States
- US Department of Energy, Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, Wisconsin Energy Institute, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Wout Boerjan
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Ghent, Belgium
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Unda F, Mottiar Y, Mahon EL, Karlen SD, Kim KH, Loqué D, Eudes A, Ralph J, Mansfield SD. A new approach to zip-lignin: 3,4-dihydroxybenzoate is compatible with lignification. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2022; 235:234-246. [PMID: 35377486 PMCID: PMC9325543 DOI: 10.1111/nph.18136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Renewed interests in the development of bioenergy, biochemicals, and biomaterials have elicited new strategies for engineering the lignin of biomass feedstock plants. This study shows, for the first time, that 3,4-dihydroxybenzoate (DHB) is compatible with the radical coupling reactions that assemble polymeric lignin in plants. We introduced a bacterial 3-dehydroshikimate dehydratase into hybrid poplar (Populus alba × grandidentata) to divert carbon flux away from the shikimate pathway, which lies upstream of lignin biosynthesis. Transgenic poplar wood had up to 33% less lignin with p-hydroxyphenyl units comprising as much as 10% of the lignin. Mild alkaline hydrolysis of transgenic wood released fewer ester-linked p-hydroxybenzoate groups than control trees, and revealed the novel incorporation of cell-wall-bound DHB, as well as glycosides of 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid (DHBA). Two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance (2D-NMR) analysis uncovered DHBA-derived benzodioxane structures suggesting that DHB moieties were integrated into the lignin polymer backbone. In addition, up to 40% more glucose was released from transgenic wood following ionic liquid pretreatment and enzymatic hydrolysis. This work highlights the potential of diverting carbon flux from the shikimate pathway for lignin engineering and describes a new type of 'zip-lignin' derived from the incorporation of DHB into poplar lignin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faride Unda
- Department of Wood ScienceUniversity of British Columbia2424 Main MallVancouverBCV6T 1Z4Canada
- Department of EnergyGreat Lakes Bioenergy Research CenterWisconsin Energy InstituteUniversity of Wisconsin‐Madison1552 University AvenueMadisonWI53726USA
| | - Yaseen Mottiar
- Department of Wood ScienceUniversity of British Columbia2424 Main MallVancouverBCV6T 1Z4Canada
- Department of EnergyGreat Lakes Bioenergy Research CenterWisconsin Energy InstituteUniversity of Wisconsin‐Madison1552 University AvenueMadisonWI53726USA
| | - Elizabeth L. Mahon
- Department of Wood ScienceUniversity of British Columbia2424 Main MallVancouverBCV6T 1Z4Canada
- Department of EnergyGreat Lakes Bioenergy Research CenterWisconsin Energy InstituteUniversity of Wisconsin‐Madison1552 University AvenueMadisonWI53726USA
| | - Steven D. Karlen
- Department of EnergyGreat Lakes Bioenergy Research CenterWisconsin Energy InstituteUniversity of Wisconsin‐Madison1552 University AvenueMadisonWI53726USA
- Department of BiochemistryUniversity of Wisconsin‐Madison433 Babcock DriveMadisonWI53706USA
| | - Kwang Ho Kim
- Department of Wood ScienceUniversity of British Columbia2424 Main MallVancouverBCV6T 1Z4Canada
- Clean Energy Research CenterKorea Institute of Science and TechnologySeoul02792Korea
| | - Dominique Loqué
- Joint BioEnergy Institute5885 Hollis StreetEmeryvilleCA94608USA
| | - Aymerick Eudes
- Joint BioEnergy Institute5885 Hollis StreetEmeryvilleCA94608USA
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology DivisionLawrence Berkeley National LaboratoryBerkeleyCA94720USA
| | - John Ralph
- Department of EnergyGreat Lakes Bioenergy Research CenterWisconsin Energy InstituteUniversity of Wisconsin‐Madison1552 University AvenueMadisonWI53726USA
- Department of BiochemistryUniversity of Wisconsin‐Madison433 Babcock DriveMadisonWI53706USA
| | - Shawn D. Mansfield
- Department of Wood ScienceUniversity of British Columbia2424 Main MallVancouverBCV6T 1Z4Canada
- Department of EnergyGreat Lakes Bioenergy Research CenterWisconsin Energy InstituteUniversity of Wisconsin‐Madison1552 University AvenueMadisonWI53726USA
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Wang Y, Gui C, Wu J, Gao X, Huang T, Cui F, Liu H, Sethupathy S. Spatio-Temporal Modification of Lignin Biosynthesis in Plants: A Promising Strategy for Lignocellulose Improvement and Lignin Valorization. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:917459. [PMID: 35845403 PMCID: PMC9283729 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.917459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Lignin is essential for plant growth, structural integrity, biotic/abiotic stress resistance, and water transport. Besides, lignin constitutes 10–30% of lignocellulosic biomass and is difficult to utilize for biofuel production. Over the past few decades, extensive research has uncovered numerous metabolic pathways and genes involved in lignin biosynthesis, several of which have been highlighted as the primary targets for genetic manipulation. However, direct manipulation of lignin biosynthesis is often associated with unexpected abnormalities in plant growth and development for unknown causes, thus limiting the usefulness of genetic engineering for biomass production and utilization. Recent advances in understanding the complex regulatory mechanisms of lignin biosynthesis have revealed new avenues for spatial and temporal modification of lignin in lignocellulosic plants that avoid growth abnormalities. This review explores recent work on utilizing specific transcriptional regulators to modify lignin biosynthesis at both tissue and cellular levels, focusing on using specific promoters paired with functional or regulatory genes to precisely control lignin synthesis and achieve biomass production with desired properties. Further advances in designing more appropriate promoters and other regulators will increase our capacity to modulate lignin content and structure in plants, thus setting the stage for high-value utilization of lignin in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongli Wang
- Biofuels Institute, School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
- *Correspondence: Yongli Wang, ; Sivasamy Sethupathy,
| | - Cunjin Gui
- Biofuels Institute, School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Jiangyan Wu
- Biofuels Institute, School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Xing Gao
- Biofuels Institute, School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Ting Huang
- Biofuels Institute, School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Fengjie Cui
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Huan Liu
- Biofuels Institute, School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Sivasamy Sethupathy
- Biofuels Institute, School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
- *Correspondence: Yongli Wang, ; Sivasamy Sethupathy,
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22
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Mohan C, Easterling M, Yau YY. Gene Editing Technologies for Sugarcane Improvement: Opportunities and Limitations. SUGAR TECH : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SUGAR CROPS & RELATED INDUSTRIES 2022; 24:369-385. [PMID: 34667393 PMCID: PMC8517945 DOI: 10.1007/s12355-021-01045-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2020] [Accepted: 08/07/2021] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Plant-based biofuels present a promising alternative to depleting non-renewable fuel resources. One of the benefits of biofuel is reduced environmental impact, including reduction in greenhouse gas emission which causes climate change. Sugarcane is one of the most important bioenergy crops. Sugarcane juice is used to produce table sugar and first-generation biofuel (e.g., bioethanol). Sugarcane bagasse is also a potential material for second-generation cellulosic biofuel production. Researchers worldwide are striving to improve sugarcane biomass yield and quality by a variety of means including biotechnological tools. This paper reviews the use of sugarcane as a feedstock for biofuel production, and gene manipulation tools and approaches, including RNAi and genome-editing tools, such as TALENs and CRISPR-Cas9, for improving its quality. The specific focus here is on CRISPR system because it is low cost, simple in design and versatile compared to other genome-editing tools. The advance of CRISPR-Cas9 technology has transformed plant research with its ability to precisely delete, insert or replace genes in recent years. Lignin is the primary material responsible for biomass recalcitrance in biofuel production. The use of genome editing technology to modify lignin composition and distribution in sugarcane cell wall has been realized. The current and potential applications of genome editing technology for sugarcane improvement are discussed. The advantages and limitations of utilizing RNAi and TALEN techniques in sugarcane improvement are discussed as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chakravarthi Mohan
- Department of Genetics and Evolution, Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, Brazil
| | - Mona Easterling
- Department of Natural Sciences, Northeastern State University, Broken Arrow, OK 74014 USA
- Northeast Campus, Tulsa Community College, 3727 East Apache St, Tulsa, OK 74115 USA
| | - Yuan-Yeu Yau
- Department of Natural Sciences, Northeastern State University, Broken Arrow, OK 74014 USA
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23
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Yoshida K, Sakamoto S, Mitsuda N. In Planta Cell Wall Engineering: From Mutants to Artificial Cell Walls. PLANT & CELL PHYSIOLOGY 2021; 62:1813-1827. [PMID: 34718770 DOI: 10.1093/pcp/pcab157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Revised: 10/03/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
To mitigate the effects of global warming and to preserve the limited fossil fuel resources, an increased exploitation of plant-based materials and fuels is required, which would be one of the most important innovations related to sustainable development. Cell walls account for the majority of plant dry biomass and so is the target of such innovations. In this review, we discuss recent advances in in planta cell wall engineering through genetic manipulations, with a focus on wild-type-based and mutant-based approaches. The long history of using a wild-type-based approach has resulted in the development of many strategies for manipulating lignin, hemicellulose and pectin to decrease cell wall recalcitrance. In addition to enzyme-encoding genes, many transcription factor genes important for changing relevant cell wall characteristics have been identified. Although mutant-based cell wall engineering is relatively new, it has become feasible due to the rapid development of genome-editing technologies and systems biology-related research; we will soon enter an age of designed artificial wood production via complex genetic manipulations of many industrially important trees and crops.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kouki Yoshida
- Technology Center, Taisei Corporation, Nase-cho 344-1, Totsuka-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 245-0051 Japan
| | - Shingo Sakamoto
- Bioproduction Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Central 6, Higashi 1-1-1, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8566 Japan
- Global Zero Emission Research Center, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Central 6, Higashi 1-1-1, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8566 Japan
| | - Nobutaka Mitsuda
- Bioproduction Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Central 6, Higashi 1-1-1, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8566 Japan
- Global Zero Emission Research Center, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Central 6, Higashi 1-1-1, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8566 Japan
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24
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De Meester B, Vanholme R, de Vries L, Wouters M, Van Doorsselaere J, Boerjan W. Vessel- and ray-specific monolignol biosynthesis as an approach to engineer fiber-hypolignification and enhanced saccharification in poplar. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2021; 108:752-765. [PMID: 34403547 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.15468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Revised: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Lignin is one of the main factors determining recalcitrance to processing of lignocellulosic biomass towards bio-based materials and fuels. Consequently, wood of plants engineered for low lignin content is typically more amenable to processing. However, lignin-modified plants often exhibit collapsed vessels and associated growth defects. Vessel-specific reintroduction of lignin biosynthesis in dwarfed low-lignin cinnamoyl-CoA reductase1 (ccr1) Arabidopsis mutants using the ProSNBE:AtCCR1 construct overcame the yield penalty while maintaining high saccharification yields, and showed that monolignols can be transported between the different xylem cells acting as 'good neighbors' in Arabidopsis. Here, we translated this research into the bio-energy crop poplar. By expressing ProSNBE:AtCCR1 into CRISPR/Cas9-generated ccr2 poplars, we aimed for vessel-specific lignin biosynthesis to: (i) achieve growth restoration while maintaining high saccharification yields; and (ii) study the existence of 'good neighbors' in poplar wood. Analyzing the resulting ccr2 ProSNBE:AtCCR1 poplars showed that vessels and rays act as good neighbors for lignification in poplar. If sufficient monolignols are produced by these cells, monolignols migrate over multiple cell layers, resulting in a restoration of the lignin amount to wild-type levels. If the supply of monolignols is limited, the monolignols are incorporated into the cell walls of the vessels and rays producing them and their adjoining cells resulting in fiber hypolignification. One such fiber-hypolignified line had 18% less lignin and, despite its small yield penalty, had an increase of up to 71% in sugar release on a plant base upon saccharification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara De Meester
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Technologiepark 71, Ghent, 9052, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Technologiepark 71, Ghent, 9052, Belgium
| | - Ruben Vanholme
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Technologiepark 71, Ghent, 9052, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Technologiepark 71, Ghent, 9052, Belgium
| | - Lisanne de Vries
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Technologiepark 71, Ghent, 9052, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Technologiepark 71, Ghent, 9052, Belgium
| | - Marlies Wouters
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Technologiepark 71, Ghent, 9052, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Technologiepark 71, Ghent, 9052, Belgium
| | - Jan Van Doorsselaere
- Higher Institute for Nursing and Biotechnology, VIVES University College, Wilgenstraat 32, Roeselare, 8800, Belgium
| | - Wout Boerjan
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Technologiepark 71, Ghent, 9052, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Technologiepark 71, Ghent, 9052, Belgium
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25
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de Vries L, Brouckaert M, Chanoca A, Kim H, Regner MR, Timokhin VI, Sun Y, De Meester B, Van Doorsselaere J, Goeminne G, Chiang VL, Wang JP, Ralph J, Morreel K, Vanholme R, Boerjan W. CRISPR-Cas9 editing of CAFFEOYL SHIKIMATE ESTERASE 1 and 2 shows their importance and partial redundancy in lignification in Populus tremula × P. alba. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2021; 19:2221-2234. [PMID: 34160888 PMCID: PMC8541784 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.13651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2021] [Revised: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Lignins are cell wall-located aromatic polymers that provide strength and hydrophobicity to woody tissues. Lignin monomers are synthesized via the phenylpropanoid pathway, wherein CAFFEOYL SHIKIMATE ESTERASE (CSE) converts caffeoyl shikimate into caffeic acid. Here, we explored the role of the two CSE homologs in poplar (Populus tremula × P. alba). Reporter lines showed that the expression conferred by both CSE1 and CSE2 promoters is similar. CRISPR-Cas9-generated cse1 and cse2 single mutants had a wild-type lignin level. Nevertheless, CSE1 and CSE2 are not completely redundant, as both single mutants accumulated caffeoyl shikimate. In contrast, the cse1 cse2 double mutants had a 35% reduction in lignin and associated growth penalty. The reduced-lignin content translated into a fourfold increase in cellulose-to-glucose conversion upon limited saccharification. Phenolic profiling of the double mutants revealed large metabolic shifts, including an accumulation of p-coumaroyl, 5-hydroxyferuloyl, feruloyl and sinapoyl shikimate, in addition to caffeoyl shikimate. This indicates that the CSEs have a broad substrate specificity, which was confirmed by in vitro enzyme kinetics. Taken together, our results suggest an alternative path within the phenylpropanoid pathway at the level of the hydroxycinnamoyl-shikimates, and show that CSE is a promising target to improve plants for the biorefinery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisanne de Vries
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and BioinformaticsGhent UniversityGhentBelgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems BiologyGhentBelgium
| | - Marlies Brouckaert
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and BioinformaticsGhent UniversityGhentBelgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems BiologyGhentBelgium
| | - Alexandra Chanoca
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and BioinformaticsGhent UniversityGhentBelgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems BiologyGhentBelgium
| | - Hoon Kim
- Department of Biochemistry, and U.S. Department of Energy Great Lakes Bioenergy Research CenterWisconsin Energy InstituteUniversity of Wisconsin‐MadisonMadisonWIUSA
| | - Matthew R. Regner
- Department of Biochemistry, and U.S. Department of Energy Great Lakes Bioenergy Research CenterWisconsin Energy InstituteUniversity of Wisconsin‐MadisonMadisonWIUSA
| | - Vitaliy I. Timokhin
- Department of Biochemistry, and U.S. Department of Energy Great Lakes Bioenergy Research CenterWisconsin Energy InstituteUniversity of Wisconsin‐MadisonMadisonWIUSA
| | - Yi Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and BreedingNortheast Forestry UniversityHarbinChina
| | - Barbara De Meester
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and BioinformaticsGhent UniversityGhentBelgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems BiologyGhentBelgium
| | | | - Geert Goeminne
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and BioinformaticsGhent UniversityGhentBelgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems BiologyGhentBelgium
- VIB Metabolomics CoreGhentBelgium
| | - Vincent L. Chiang
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and BreedingNortheast Forestry UniversityHarbinChina
- Forest Biotechnology GroupDepartment of Forestry and Environmental ResourcesNorth Carolina State UniversityRaleighNCUSA
- Department of Forest BiomaterialsNorth Carolina State UniversityRaleighNCUSA
| | - Jack P. Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and BreedingNortheast Forestry UniversityHarbinChina
- Forest Biotechnology GroupDepartment of Forestry and Environmental ResourcesNorth Carolina State UniversityRaleighNCUSA
| | - John Ralph
- Department of Biochemistry, and U.S. Department of Energy Great Lakes Bioenergy Research CenterWisconsin Energy InstituteUniversity of Wisconsin‐MadisonMadisonWIUSA
| | - Kris Morreel
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and BioinformaticsGhent UniversityGhentBelgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems BiologyGhentBelgium
| | - Ruben Vanholme
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and BioinformaticsGhent UniversityGhentBelgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems BiologyGhentBelgium
| | - Wout Boerjan
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and BioinformaticsGhent UniversityGhentBelgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems BiologyGhentBelgium
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26
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Maruyama R, Mayuzumi Y, Morisawa J, Kawai S. Transgenic rice plants expressing the α-L-arabinofuranosidase of Coprinopsis cinerea exhibit strong dwarfism and markedly enhanced tillering. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY (TOKYO, JAPAN) 2021; 38:379-386. [PMID: 34782826 PMCID: PMC8562574 DOI: 10.5511/plantbiotechnology.21.0616a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Lignocellulosic materials are potential renewable sources of fermentable sugars for bioethanol production. In this study, we used the CcAbf62A gene encoding CcAbf62A, a putative extracellular α-L-arabinofuranosidase, cloned from the mycotrophic basidiomycete Coprinopsis cinerea. CcAbf62A acts on arabinoxylan, the major hemicellulose of grasses, releasing arabinose. CcAbf62A was introduced into rice with the aim of enhancing delignification efficiency and the availability of lignocellulosic materials without reducing lignin content. Among the 32 lines of regenerated transgenic rice, 13 exhibited markedly disrupted elongation growth and excessive tillering (dwarf), seven showed delayed elongation growth (retarded-growth), and 12 showed phenotypes similar to those of control plants (normal). Additionally, the dwarf lines showed reduced acclimation. RT-PCR analysis revealed that dwarf lines had higher levels of CcAbf62A expression than retarded-growth and normal lines. Although the lignin content of transgenic rice plants expressing CcAbf62A did not differ significantly from that of control rice plants, dwarf lines were characterized by delayed deposition of lignin in the culms compared with the controls. The reduced acclimation ability of dwarf lines is believed to be associated with increased water loss and reduced water conductivity concomitant with delayed lignin deposition. Contrary to expectations, the alkaline delignification rates of dwarf and retarded-growth Abf lines were slightly lower than those of control rice plants. Our findings indicate that CcAbf62A reduces ferulate-lignin cross-links by detaching arabinose side chains from arabinoxylan and increases the relative abundance of alkaline-resistant benzyl ether cross-links. CcAbf62A is anticipated to provide new approaches for breeding plants containing altered lignocellulosic materials or lodging-resistant crops.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryo Maruyama
- United Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu, Tokyo 183-8509, Japan
| | - Yasuyoshi Mayuzumi
- United Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu, Tokyo 183-8509, Japan
| | - Jun Morisawa
- Graduate School of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu, Tokyo 183-8509, Japan
| | - Shinya Kawai
- United Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu, Tokyo 183-8509, Japan
- Graduate School of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu, Tokyo 183-8509, Japan
- Gene Research Center, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu, Tokyo 183-8509, Japan
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27
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Behle E, Raguin A. Stochastic model of lignocellulosic material saccharification. PLoS Comput Biol 2021; 17:e1009262. [PMID: 34516546 PMCID: PMC8460048 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1009262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2021] [Revised: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The processing of agricultural wastes towards extraction of renewable resources is recently being considered as a promising alternative to conventional biofuel production. The degradation of agricultural residues is a complex chemical process that is currently time intensive and costly. Various pre-treatment methods are being investigated to determine the subsequent modification of the material and the main obstacles in increasing the enzymatic saccharification. In this study, we present a computational model that complements the experimental approaches. We decipher how the three-dimensional structure of the substrate impacts the saccharification dynamics. We model a cell wall microfibril composed of cellulose and surrounded by hemicellulose and lignin, with various relative abundances and arrangements. This substrate is subjected to digestion by different cocktails of well characterized enzymes. The saccharification dynamics is simulated in silico using a stochastic procedure based on a Gillespie algorithm. As we additionally implement a fitting procedure that optimizes the parameters of the simulation runs, we are able to reproduce experimental saccharification time courses for corn stover. Our model highlights the synergistic action of enzymes, and confirms the linear decrease of sugar conversion when either lignin content or crystallinity of the substrate increases. Importantly, we show that considering the crystallinity of cellulose in addition to the substrate composition is essential to interpret experimental saccharification data. Finally, our findings support the hypothesis of xylan being partially crystalline. Leftover wastes generated by agriculture, such as inedible leaves and stalks of plants, represent an abundant and unexploited raw material that contains energy in the form of sugar polymers. Their breakdown and processing into bio-ethanol is recently being considered as a promising candidate for renewable fuel production. However, it is still poorly understood, how the microscopic structure and composition of plant waste materials impact their enzymatic digestion. Various experimental pre-processing methods are currently being tested to determine their effect on the material composition and structure, and the sugar conversion. In this study, we present a computational model to complement such experimental approaches. We simulate a microscopic plant fragment typically found in plant waste materials, whose structure and composition can be tailored. This fragment is then subjected to enzymatic digestion, whose dynamics is tracked in silico. The model reproduces experimentally observed time courses for plant fragments of known composition. It additionally provides new hypotheses for interpreting complex experimental results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Behle
- Department of Biology, Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences, Institute of Quantitative and Theoretical Biology, Heinrich-Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Adélaïde Raguin
- Department of Biology, Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences, Institute of Quantitative and Theoretical Biology, Heinrich-Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
- * E-mail:
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Yu H, Liu C, Dixon RA. A gene-editing/complementation strategy for tissue-specific lignin reduction while preserving biomass yield. BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR BIOFUELS 2021; 14:175. [PMID: 34479620 PMCID: PMC8417962 DOI: 10.1186/s13068-021-02026-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lignification of secondary cell walls is a major factor conferring recalcitrance of lignocellulosic biomass to deconstruction for fuels and chemicals. Genetic modification can reduce lignin content and enhance saccharification efficiency, but usually at the cost of moderate-to-severe growth penalties. We have developed a method, using a single DNA construct that uses CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing to knock-out expression of an endogenous gene of lignin monomer biosynthesis while at the same time expressing a modified version of the gene's open reading frame that escapes cutting by the Cas9 system and complements the introduced mutation in a tissue-specific manner. RESULTS Expressing the complementing open reading frame in vessels allows for the regeneration of Arabidopsis plants with reduced lignin, wild-type biomass yield, and up to fourfold enhancement of cell wall sugar yield per plant. The above phenotypes are seen in both homozygous and bi-allelic heterozygous T1 lines, and are stable over at least four generations. CONCLUSIONS The method provides a rapid approach for generating reduced lignin trees or crops with one single transformation event, and, paired with a range of tissue-specific promoters, provides a general strategy for optimizing loss-of-function traits that are associated with growth penalties. This method should be applicable to any plant species in which transformation and gene editing are feasible and validated vessel-specific promoters are available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hasi Yu
- BioDiscovery Institute and Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Texas, 1155 Union Circle #311428, Denton, TX, 76203, USA
- Center for Bioenergy Innovation (CBI), Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, 37831, USA
| | - Chang Liu
- BioDiscovery Institute and Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Texas, 1155 Union Circle #311428, Denton, TX, 76203, USA
| | - Richard A Dixon
- BioDiscovery Institute and Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Texas, 1155 Union Circle #311428, Denton, TX, 76203, USA.
- Center for Bioenergy Innovation (CBI), Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, 37831, USA.
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Yu S, Bekkering CS, Tian L. Metabolic engineering in woody plants: challenges, advances, and opportunities. ABIOTECH 2021; 2:299-313. [PMID: 36303882 PMCID: PMC9590576 DOI: 10.1007/s42994-021-00054-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/06/2021] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Woody plant species represent an invaluable reserve of biochemical diversity to which metabolic engineering can be applied to satisfy the need for commodity and specialty chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and renewable energy. Woody plants are particularly promising for this application due to their low input needs, high biomass, and immeasurable ecosystem services. However, existing challenges have hindered their widespread adoption in metabolic engineering efforts, such as long generation times, large and highly heterozygous genomes, and difficulties in transformation and regeneration. Recent advances in omics approaches, systems biology modeling, and plant transformation and regeneration methods provide effective approaches in overcoming these outstanding challenges. Promises brought by developments in this space are steadily opening the door to widespread metabolic engineering of woody plants to meet the global need for a wide range of sustainably sourced chemicals and materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu Yu
- Department of Plant Sciences, Mail Stop 3, University of California, Davis, CA 95616 USA
| | - Cody S. Bekkering
- Department of Plant Sciences, Mail Stop 3, University of California, Davis, CA 95616 USA
| | - Li Tian
- Department of Plant Sciences, Mail Stop 3, University of California, Davis, CA 95616 USA
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Yao T, Feng K, Xie M, Barros J, Tschaplinski TJ, Tuskan GA, Muchero W, Chen JG. Phylogenetic Occurrence of the Phenylpropanoid Pathway and Lignin Biosynthesis in Plants. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 12:704697. [PMID: 34484267 PMCID: PMC8416159 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.704697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
The phenylpropanoid pathway serves as a rich source of metabolites in plants and provides precursors for lignin biosynthesis. Lignin first appeared in tracheophytes and has been hypothesized to have played pivotal roles in land plant colonization. In this review, we summarize recent progress in defining the lignin biosynthetic pathway in lycophytes, monilophytes, gymnosperms, and angiosperms. In particular, we review the key structural genes involved in p-hydroxyphenyl-, guaiacyl-, and syringyl-lignin biosynthesis across plant taxa and consider and integrate new insights on major transcription factors, such as NACs and MYBs. We also review insight regarding a new transcriptional regulator, 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate (EPSP) synthase, canonically identified as a key enzyme in the shikimate pathway. We use several case studies, including EPSP synthase, to illustrate the evolution processes of gene duplication and neo-functionalization in lignin biosynthesis. This review provides new insights into the genetic engineering of the lignin biosynthetic pathway to overcome biomass recalcitrance in bioenergy crops.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Yao
- Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, United States
- Center for Bioenergy Innovation, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, United States
| | - Kai Feng
- Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, United States
- Center for Bioenergy Innovation, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, United States
| | - Meng Xie
- Biology Department, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY, United States
| | - Jaime Barros
- Center for Bioenergy Innovation, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, United States
- BioDiscovery Institute and Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Texas, Denton, TX, United States
| | - Timothy J. Tschaplinski
- Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, United States
- Center for Bioenergy Innovation, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, United States
| | - Gerald A. Tuskan
- Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, United States
- Center for Bioenergy Innovation, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, United States
| | - Wellington Muchero
- Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, United States
- Center for Bioenergy Innovation, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, United States
| | - Jin-Gui Chen
- Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, United States
- Center for Bioenergy Innovation, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, United States
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31
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Chintagunta AD, Zuccaro G, Kumar M, Kumar SPJ, Garlapati VK, Postemsky PD, Kumar NSS, Chandel AK, Simal-Gandara J. Biodiesel Production From Lignocellulosic Biomass Using Oleaginous Microbes: Prospects for Integrated Biofuel Production. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:658284. [PMID: 34475852 PMCID: PMC8406692 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.658284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Biodiesel is an eco-friendly, renewable, and potential liquid biofuel mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. Biodiesel has been produced initially from vegetable oils, non-edible oils, and waste oils. However, these feedstocks have several disadvantages such as requirement of land and labor and remain expensive. Similarly, in reference to waste oils, the feedstock content is succinct in supply and unable to meet the demand. Recent studies demonstrated utilization of lignocellulosic substrates for biodiesel production using oleaginous microorganisms. These microbes accumulate higher lipid content under stress conditions, whose lipid composition is similar to vegetable oils. In this paper, feedstocks used for biodiesel production such as vegetable oils, non-edible oils, oleaginous microalgae, fungi, yeast, and bacteria have been illustrated. Thereafter, steps enumerated in biodiesel production from lignocellulosic substrates through pretreatment, saccharification and oleaginous microbe-mediated fermentation, lipid extraction, transesterification, and purification of biodiesel are discussed. Besides, the importance of metabolic engineering in ensuring biofuels and biorefinery and a brief note on integration of liquid biofuels have been included that have significant importance in terms of circular economy aspects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anjani Devi Chintagunta
- Department of Biotechnology, Vignan’s Foundation for Science, Technology and Research, Guntur, India
| | - Gaetano Zuccaro
- Department of Chemical, Materials and Production Engineering, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
- LBE, INRAE, Université de Montpellier, Narbonne, France
| | - Mahesh Kumar
- College of Agriculture, Central Agricultural University, Imphal, India
| | - S. P. Jeevan Kumar
- ICAR-Indian Institute of Seed Science, Mau, India
- ICAR-Directorate of Floricultural Research, Pune, India
| | - Vijay Kumar Garlapati
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Jaypee University of Information Technology, Waknaghat, India
| | - Pablo D. Postemsky
- Laboratory of Biotechnology of Edible and Medicinal Mushrooms, Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiárida (CERZOS-UNS/CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - N. S. Sampath Kumar
- Department of Biotechnology, Vignan’s Foundation for Science, Technology and Research, Guntur, India
| | - Anuj K. Chandel
- Department of Biotechnology, Engineering School of Lorena (EEL), University of São Paulo (USP), Lorena, Brazil
| | - Jesus Simal-Gandara
- Nutrition and Bromatology Group, Department of Analytical and Food Chemistry, Faculty of Food Science and Technology, University of Vigo, Ourense, Spain
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de Vries L, Guevara-Rozo S, Cho M, Liu LY, Renneckar S, Mansfield SD. Tailoring renewable materials via plant biotechnology. BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR BIOFUELS 2021; 14:167. [PMID: 34353358 PMCID: PMC8344217 DOI: 10.1186/s13068-021-02010-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Plants inherently display a rich diversity in cell wall chemistry, as they synthesize an array of polysaccharides along with lignin, a polyphenolic that can vary dramatically in subunit composition and interunit linkage complexity. These same cell wall chemical constituents play essential roles in our society, having been isolated by a variety of evolving industrial processes and employed in the production of an array of commodity products to which humans are reliant. However, these polymers are inherently synthesized and intricately packaged into complex structures that facilitate plant survival and adaptation to local biogeoclimatic regions and stresses, not for ease of deconstruction and commercial product development. Herein, we describe evolving techniques and strategies for altering the metabolic pathways related to plant cell wall biosynthesis, and highlight the resulting impact on chemistry, architecture, and polymer interactions. Furthermore, this review illustrates how these unique targeted cell wall modifications could significantly extend the number, diversity, and value of products generated in existing and emerging biorefineries. These modifications can further target the ability for processing of engineered wood into advanced high performance materials. In doing so, we attempt to illuminate the complex connection on how polymer chemistry and structure can be tailored to advance renewable material applications, using all the chemical constituents of plant-derived biopolymers, including pectins, hemicelluloses, cellulose, and lignins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisanne de Vries
- Department of Wood Science, Faculty of Forestry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada
- US Department of Energy (DOE) Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, the Wisconsin Energy Institute, University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, WI , 53726, USA
| | - Sydne Guevara-Rozo
- Department of Wood Science, Faculty of Forestry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - MiJung Cho
- Department of Wood Science, Faculty of Forestry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Li-Yang Liu
- Department of Wood Science, Faculty of Forestry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Scott Renneckar
- Department of Wood Science, Faculty of Forestry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Shawn D Mansfield
- Department of Wood Science, Faculty of Forestry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada.
- US Department of Energy (DOE) Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, the Wisconsin Energy Institute, University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, WI , 53726, USA.
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Liu Y, Yan J, Wang K, Li D, Yang R, Luo H, Zhang W. MiR396-GRF module associates with switchgrass biomass yield and feedstock quality. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2021; 19:1523-1536. [PMID: 33567151 PMCID: PMC8384596 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.13567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Revised: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Improving plant biomass yield and/or feedstock quality for highly efficient lignocellulose conversion has been the main research focus in genetic modification of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.), a dedicated model plant for biofuel production. Here, we proved that overexpression of miR396 (OE-miR396) leads to reduced plant height and lignin content mainly by reducing G-lignin monomer content. We identified nineteen PvGRFs in switchgrass and proved thirteen of them were cleaved by miR396. MiR396-targeted PvGRF1, PvGRF9 and PvGRF3 showed significantly higher expression in stem. By separately overexpressing rPvGRF1, 3 and 9, in which synonymous mutations abolished the miR396 target sites, and suppression of PvGRF1/3/9 activity via PvGRF1/3/9-SRDX overexpression in switchgrass, we confirmed PvGRF1 and PvGRF9 played positive roles in improving plant height and G-lignin content. Overexpression of PvGRF9 was sufficient to complement the defective phenotype of OE-miR396 plants. MiR396-PvGRF9 modulates these traits partly by interfering GA and auxin biosynthesis and signalling transduction and cell wall lignin, glucose and xylan biosynthesis pathways. Moreover, by enzymatic hydrolysis analyses, we found that overexpression of rPvGRF9 significantly enhanced per plant sugar yield. Our results suggest that PvGRF9 can be utilized as a candidate molecular tool in modifying plant biomass yield and feedstock quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanrong Liu
- College of Grassland Science and technologyChina Agricultural UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Jianping Yan
- College of Grassland Science and technologyChina Agricultural UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Kexin Wang
- College of Grassland Science and technologyChina Agricultural UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Dayong Li
- College of Life SciencesShandong Normal UniversityJinanShandongChina
| | - Rui Yang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of New Technology in Agricultural ApplicationCollege of Plant Science and TechnologyBeijing University of AgricultureBeijingChina
| | - Hong Luo
- Department of Genetics and BiochemistryClemson UniversityClemsonSCUSA
| | - Wanjun Zhang
- College of Grassland Science and technologyChina Agricultural UniversityBeijingChina
- Key Lab of Grassland Science in BeijingChina Agricultural UniversityBeijingChina
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34
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Bing RG, Sulis DB, Wang JP, Adams MW, Kelly RM. Thermophilic microbial deconstruction and conversion of natural and transgenic lignocellulose. ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY REPORTS 2021; 13:272-293. [PMID: 33684253 PMCID: PMC10519370 DOI: 10.1111/1758-2229.12943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Revised: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 02/28/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The potential to convert renewable plant biomasses into fuels and chemicals by microbial processes presents an attractive, less environmentally intense alternative to conventional routes based on fossil fuels. This would best be done with microbes that natively deconstruct lignocellulose and concomitantly form industrially relevant products, but these two physiological and metabolic features are rarely and simultaneously observed in nature. Genetic modification of both plant feedstocks and microbes can be used to increase lignocellulose deconstruction capability and generate industrially relevant products. Separate efforts on plants and microbes are ongoing, but these studies lack a focus on optimal, complementary combinations of these disparate biological systems to obtain a convergent technology. Improving genetic tools for plants have given rise to the generation of low-lignin lines that are more readily solubilized by microorganisms. Most focus on the microbiological front has involved thermophilic bacteria from the genera Caldicellulosiruptor and Clostridium, given their capacity to degrade lignocellulose and to form bio-products through metabolic engineering strategies enabled by ever-improving molecular genetics tools. Bioengineering plant properties to better fit the deconstruction capabilities of candidate consolidated bioprocessing microorganisms has potential to achieve the efficient lignocellulose deconstruction needed for industrial relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan G. Bing
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695
| | - Daniel B. Sulis
- Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695
| | - Jack P. Wang
- Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695
| | - Michael W.W. Adams
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602
| | - Robert M. Kelly
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695
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35
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Miladinovic D, Antunes D, Yildirim K, Bakhsh A, Cvejić S, Kondić-Špika A, Marjanovic Jeromela A, Opsahl-Sorteberg HG, Zambounis A, Hilioti Z. Targeted plant improvement through genome editing: from laboratory to field. PLANT CELL REPORTS 2021; 40:935-951. [PMID: 33475781 PMCID: PMC8184711 DOI: 10.1007/s00299-020-02655-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 12/20/2020] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
This review illustrates how far we have come since the emergence of GE technologies and how they could be applied to obtain superior and sustainable crop production. The main challenges of today's agriculture are maintaining and raising productivity, reducing its negative impact on the environment, and adapting to climate change. Efficient plant breeding can generate elite varieties that will rapidly replace obsolete ones and address ongoing challenges in an efficient and sustainable manner. Site-specific genome editing in plants is a rapidly evolving field with tangible results. The technology is equipped with a powerful toolbox of molecular scissors to cut DNA at a pre-determined site with different efficiencies for designing an approach that best suits the objectives of each plant breeding strategy. Genome editing (GE) not only revolutionizes plant biology, but provides the means to solve challenges related to plant architecture, food security, nutrient content, adaptation to the environment, resistance to diseases and production of plant-based materials. This review illustrates how far we have come since the emergence of these technologies and how these technologies could be applied to obtain superior, safe and sustainable crop production. Synergies of genome editing with other technological platforms that are gaining significance in plants lead to an exciting new, post-genomic era for plant research and production. In previous months, we have seen what global changes might arise from one new virus, reminding us of what drastic effects such events could have on food production. This demonstrates how important science, technology, and tools are to meet the current time and the future. Plant GE can make a real difference to future sustainable food production to the benefit of both mankind and our environment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Kubilay Yildirim
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Sciences, Ondokuzmayıs University, Samsun, Turkey
| | - Allah Bakhsh
- Department of Agricultural Genetic Engineering, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Technologies, Nigde Omer Halisdemir University, Nigde, Turkey
| | - Sandra Cvejić
- Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | | | | | | | - Antonios Zambounis
- Department of Deciduous Fruit Trees, Institute of Plant Breeding and Genetic Resources, ELGO-DEMETER, Naoussa, Greece
| | - Zoe Hilioti
- Institute of Applied Biosciences, CERTH, Thessaloniki, Greece.
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PbCSE1 promotes lignification during stone cell development in pear (Pyrus bretschneideri) fruit. Sci Rep 2021; 11:9450. [PMID: 33941813 PMCID: PMC8093294 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-88825-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2020] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Pear [Pyrus bretschneideri cv. Dangshan Su] fruit quality is not always satisfactory owing to the presence of stone cells, and lignin is the main component of stone cells in pear fruits. Caffeoyl shikimate esterase (CSE) is a key enzyme in the lignin biosynthesis. Although CSE-like genes have been isolated from a variety of plant species, their orthologs are not characterized in pear. In this study, the CSE gene family (PbCSE) from P. bretschneideri was identified. According to the physiological data and quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR), PbCSE1 was associated with lignin deposition and stone cell formation. The overexpression of PbCSE1 increased the lignin content in pear fruits. Relative to wild-type (WT) Arabidopsis, the overexpression of PbCSE1 delayed growth, increased the lignin deposition and lignin content in stems. Simultaneously, the expression of lignin biosynthetic genes were also increased in pear fruits and Arabidopsis. These results demonstrated that PbCSE1 plays an important role in cell lignification and will provide a potential molecular strategy to improve the quality of pear fruits.
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Liu X, Van Acker R, Voorend W, Pallidis A, Goeminne G, Pollier J, Morreel K, Kim H, Muylle H, Bosio M, Ralph J, Vanholme R, Boerjan W. Rewired phenolic metabolism and improved saccharification efficiency of a Zea mays cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase 2 (zmcad2) mutant. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2021; 105:1240-1257. [PMID: 33258151 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.15108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Revised: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 11/26/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Lignocellulosic biomass is an abundant byproduct from cereal crops that can potentially be valorized as a feedstock to produce biomaterials. Zea mays CINNAMYL ALCOHOL DEHYDROGENASE 2 (ZmCAD2) is involved in lignification, and is a promising target to improve the cellulose-to-glucose conversion of maize stover. Here, we analyzed a field-grown zmcad2 Mutator transposon insertional mutant. Zmcad2 mutant plants had an 18% lower Klason lignin content, whereas their cellulose content was similar to that of control lines. The lignin in zmcad2 mutants contained increased levels of hydroxycinnamaldehydes, i.e. the substrates of ZmCAD2, ferulic acid and tricin. Ferulates decorating hemicelluloses were not altered. Phenolic profiling further revealed that hydroxycinnamaldehydes are partly converted into (dihydro)ferulic acid and sinapic acid and their derivatives in zmcad2 mutants. Syringyl lactic acid hexoside, a metabolic sink in CAD-deficient dicot trees, appeared not to be a sink in zmcad2 maize. The enzymatic cellulose-to-glucose conversion efficiency was determined after 10 different thermochemical pre-treatments. Zmcad2 yielded significantly higher conversions compared with controls for almost every pre-treatment. However, the relative increase in glucose yields after alkaline pre-treatment was not higher than the relative increase when no pre-treatment was applied, suggesting that the positive effect of the incorporation of hydroxycinnamaldehydes was leveled off by the negative effect of reduced p-coumarate levels in the cell wall. Taken together, our results reveal how phenolic metabolism is affected in CAD-deficient maize, and further support mutating CAD genes in cereal crops as a promising strategy to improve lignocellulosic biomass for sugar-platform biorefineries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyu Liu
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Rebecca Van Acker
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Wannes Voorend
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Andreas Pallidis
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Geert Goeminne
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Metabolomics Core, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jacob Pollier
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Metabolomics Core, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Kris Morreel
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Hoon Kim
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, 53706, USA
- Department of Energy's Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, Wisconsin Energy Institute, Madison, Wisconsin, 53726, USA
| | - Hilde Muylle
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Ghent, Belgium
| | | | - John Ralph
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, 53706, USA
- Department of Energy's Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, Wisconsin Energy Institute, Madison, Wisconsin, 53726, USA
| | - Ruben Vanholme
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Wout Boerjan
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Ghent, Belgium
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Gandla ML, Mähler N, Escamez S, Skotare T, Obudulu O, Möller L, Abreu IN, Bygdell J, Hertzberg M, Hvidsten TR, Moritz T, Wingsle G, Trygg J, Tuominen H, Jönsson LJ. Overexpression of vesicle-associated membrane protein PttVAP27-17 as a tool to improve biomass production and the overall saccharification yields in Populus trees. BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR BIOFUELS 2021; 14:43. [PMID: 33593413 PMCID: PMC7885582 DOI: 10.1186/s13068-021-01895-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bioconversion of wood into bioproducts and biofuels is hindered by the recalcitrance of woody raw material to bioprocesses such as enzymatic saccharification. Targeted modification of the chemical composition of the feedstock can improve saccharification but this gain is often abrogated by concomitant reduction in tree growth. RESULTS In this study, we report on transgenic hybrid aspen (Populus tremula × tremuloides) lines that showed potential to increase biomass production both in the greenhouse and after 5 years of growth in the field. The transgenic lines carried an overexpression construct for Populus tremula × tremuloides vesicle-associated membrane protein (VAMP)-associated protein PttVAP27-17 that was selected from a gene-mining program for novel regulators of wood formation. Analytical-scale enzymatic saccharification without any pretreatment revealed for all greenhouse-grown transgenic lines, compared to the wild type, a 20-44% increase in the glucose yield per dry weight after enzymatic saccharification, even though it was statistically significant only for one line. The glucose yield after enzymatic saccharification with a prior hydrothermal pretreatment step with sulfuric acid was not increased in the greenhouse-grown transgenic trees on a dry-weight basis, but increased by 26-50% when calculated on a whole biomass basis in comparison to the wild-type control. Tendencies to increased glucose yields by up to 24% were present on a whole tree biomass basis after acidic pretreatment and enzymatic saccharification also in the transgenic trees grown for 5 years on the field when compared to the wild-type control. CONCLUSIONS The results demonstrate the usefulness of gene-mining programs to identify novel genes with the potential to improve biofuel production in tree biotechnology programs. Furthermore, multi-omic analyses, including transcriptomic, proteomic and metabolomic analyses, performed here provide a toolbox for future studies on the function of VAP27 proteins in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Niklas Mähler
- Umeå Plant Science Centre, Department of Plant Physiology, Umeå University, 901 87, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Sacha Escamez
- Umeå Plant Science Centre, Department of Plant Physiology, Umeå University, 901 87, Umeå, Sweden
- Umeå Plant Science Centre, Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 901 83, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Tomas Skotare
- Department of Chemistry, Umeå University, 901 87, Umeå, Sweden
- Computational Life Science Cluster (CLiC), Department of Chemistry, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Ogonna Obudulu
- Umeå Plant Science Centre, Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 901 83, Umeå, Sweden
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, 40530, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Linus Möller
- SweTree Technologies, PO Box 7981, 907 19, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Ilka N Abreu
- Umeå Plant Science Centre, Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 901 83, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Joakim Bygdell
- Department of Chemistry, Umeå University, 901 87, Umeå, Sweden
| | | | - Torgeir R Hvidsten
- Umeå Plant Science Centre, Department of Plant Physiology, Umeå University, 901 87, Umeå, Sweden
- Faculty of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, 1432, Ås, Norway
| | - Thomas Moritz
- Umeå Plant Science Centre, Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 901 83, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Gunnar Wingsle
- Umeå Plant Science Centre, Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 901 83, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Johan Trygg
- Department of Chemistry, Umeå University, 901 87, Umeå, Sweden
- Computational Life Science Cluster (CLiC), Department of Chemistry, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Hannele Tuominen
- Umeå Plant Science Centre, Department of Plant Physiology, Umeå University, 901 87, Umeå, Sweden.
- Umeå Plant Science Centre, Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 901 83, Umeå, Sweden.
| | - Leif J Jönsson
- Department of Chemistry, Umeå University, 901 87, Umeå, Sweden
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Carpita NC, McCann MC. Redesigning plant cell walls for the biomass-based bioeconomy. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:15144-15157. [PMID: 32868456 PMCID: PMC7606688 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.rev120.014561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2020] [Revised: 08/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Lignocellulosic biomass-the lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose that comprise major components of the plant cell well-is a sustainable resource that could be utilized in the United States to displace oil consumption from heavy vehicles, planes, and marine-going vessels and commodity chemicals. Biomass-derived sugars can also be supplied for microbial fermentative processing to fuels and chemicals or chemically deoxygenated to hydrocarbons. However, the economic value of biomass might be amplified by diversifying the range of target products that are synthesized in living plants. Genetic engineering of lignocellulosic biomass has previously focused on changing lignin content or composition to overcome recalcitrance, the intrinsic resistance of cell walls to deconstruction. New capabilities to remove lignin catalytically without denaturing the carbohydrate moiety have enabled the concept of the "lignin-first" biorefinery that includes high-value aromatic products. The structural complexity of plant cell-wall components also provides substrates for polymeric and functionalized target products, such as thermosets, thermoplastics, composites, cellulose nanocrystals, and nanofibers. With recent advances in the design of synthetic pathways, lignocellulosic biomass can be regarded as a substrate at various length scales for liquid hydrocarbon fuels, chemicals, and materials. In this review, we describe the architectures of plant cell walls and recent progress in overcoming recalcitrance and illustrate the potential for natural or engineered biomass to be used in the emerging bioeconomy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas C Carpita
- Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
| | - Maureen C McCann
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Center for Plant Biology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA.
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De Meester B, Madariaga Calderón B, de Vries L, Pollier J, Goeminne G, Van Doorsselaere J, Chen M, Ralph J, Vanholme R, Boerjan W. Tailoring poplar lignin without yield penalty by combining a null and haploinsufficient CINNAMOYL-CoA REDUCTASE2 allele. Nat Commun 2020; 11:5020. [PMID: 33024118 PMCID: PMC7538556 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-18822-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Accepted: 09/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Lignin causes lignocellulosic biomass recalcitrance to enzymatic hydrolysis. Engineered low-lignin plants have reduced recalcitrance but often exhibit yield penalties, offsetting their gains in fermentable sugar yield. Here, CRISPR/Cas9-generated CCR2(−/*) line 12 poplars have one knockout CCR2 allele while the other contains a 3-bp deletion, resulting in a 114I115A-to-114T conversion in the corresponding protein. Despite having 10% less lignin, CCR2(−/*) line 12 grows normally. On a plant basis, the saccharification efficiency of CCR2(−/*) line 12 is increased by 25–41%, depending on the pretreatment. Analysis of monoallelic CCR2 knockout lines shows that the reduced lignin amount in CCR2(−/*) line 12 is due to the combination of a null and the specific haploinsufficient CCR2 allele. Analysis of another CCR2(−/*) line shows that depending on the specific CCR2 amino-acid change, lignin amount and growth can be affected to different extents. Our findings open up new possibilities for stably fine-tuning residual gene function in planta. Plants with reduced amounts of lignin typically suffer from dwarfed growth, which offsets their gain in fermentable sugar yield. Here, the authors show that genome-edited poplar lines with a null and a haploinsufficient allele of CINNAMOYL-COA REDUCTASE2 (CCR2) can be obtained that have a reduced lignin level and normal growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara De Meester
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Technologiepark 71, 9052, Ghent, Belgium.,VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Technologiepark 71, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Barbara Madariaga Calderón
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Technologiepark 71, 9052, Ghent, Belgium.,VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Technologiepark 71, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Lisanne de Vries
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Technologiepark 71, 9052, Ghent, Belgium.,VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Technologiepark 71, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jacob Pollier
- VIB Metabolomics Core, Technologiepark 71, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Geert Goeminne
- VIB Metabolomics Core, Technologiepark 71, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jan Van Doorsselaere
- Higher Institute for Nursing and Biotechnology, VIVES University College, Wilgenstraat 32, 8800, Roeselare, Belgium
| | - Mingjie Chen
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53706, USA.,US Department of Energy, Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, Wisconsin Energy Institute, Madison, WI, 53726, USA
| | - John Ralph
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53706, USA.,US Department of Energy, Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, Wisconsin Energy Institute, Madison, WI, 53726, USA
| | - Ruben Vanholme
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Technologiepark 71, 9052, Ghent, Belgium.,VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Technologiepark 71, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Wout Boerjan
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Technologiepark 71, 9052, Ghent, Belgium. .,VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Technologiepark 71, 9052, Ghent, Belgium.
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Bryant ND, Pu Y, Tschaplinski TJ, Tuskan GA, Muchero W, Kalluri UC, Yoo CG, Ragauskas AJ. Transgenic Poplar Designed for Biofuels. TRENDS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2020; 25:881-896. [PMID: 32482346 DOI: 10.1016/j.tplants.2020.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2019] [Revised: 03/19/2020] [Accepted: 03/25/2020] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Members of the genus Populus (i.e., cottonwood, hybrid poplar) represent a promising source of lignocellulosic biomass for biofuels. However, one of the major factors negatively affecting poplar's efficient conversion to biofuel is the inherent recalcitrance to enzymatic saccharification due to cell wall components such as lignin. To this effect, there have been efforts to modify gene expression to reduce biomass recalcitrance by changing cell wall properties. Here, we review recent genetic modifications of poplar that led to change cell wall properties and the resulting effects on subsequent pretreatment efficacy and saccharification. Although genetic engineering's impacts on cell wall properties are not fully predictable, recent studies have shown promising improvement in the biological conversion of transgenic poplar to biofuels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan D Bryant
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
| | - Yunqiao Pu
- Center for Bioenergy Innovation, Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA; Joint Institute for Biological Science, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
| | - Timothy J Tschaplinski
- Center for Bioenergy Innovation, Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
| | - Gerald A Tuskan
- Center for Bioenergy Innovation, Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
| | - Wellington Muchero
- Center for Bioenergy Innovation, Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
| | - Udaya C Kalluri
- Center for Bioenergy Innovation, Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
| | - Chang Geun Yoo
- Department of Paper and Bioprocess Engineering, State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
| | - Arthur J Ragauskas
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA; Center for Bioenergy Innovation, Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA; Joint Institute for Biological Science, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA; Center for Renewable Carbon, Department of Forestry, Wildlife, and Fisheries, University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA.
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Behr M, Baldacci-Cresp F, Kohler A, Morreel K, Goeminne G, Van Acker R, Veneault-Fourrey C, Mol A, Pilate G, Boerjan W, de Almeida Engler J, El Jaziri M, Baucher M. Alterations in the phenylpropanoid pathway affect poplar ability for ectomycorrhizal colonisation and susceptibility to root-knot nematodes. MYCORRHIZA 2020; 30:555-566. [PMID: 32647969 DOI: 10.1007/s00572-020-00976-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2020] [Accepted: 07/06/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
This study investigates the impact of the alteration of the monolignol biosynthesis pathway on the establishment of the in vitro interaction of poplar roots either with a mutualistic ectomycorrhizal fungus or with a pathogenic root-knot nematode. Overall, the five studied transgenic lines downregulated for caffeoyl-CoA O-methyltransferase (CCoAOMT), caffeic acid O-methyltransferase (COMT), cinnamoyl-CoA reductase (CCR), cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase (CAD) or both COMT and CAD displayed a lower mycorrhizal colonisation percentage, indicating a lower ability for establishing mutualistic interaction than the wild-type. The susceptibility to root-knot nematode infection was variable in the five lines, and the CAD-deficient line was found to be less susceptible than the wild-type. We discuss these phenotypic differences in the light of the large shifts in the metabolic profile and gene expression pattern occurring between roots of the CAD-deficient line and wild-type. A role of genes related to trehalose metabolism, phytohormones, and cell wall construction in the different mycorrhizal symbiosis efficiency and nematode sensitivity between these two lines is suggested. Overall, these results show that the alteration of plant metabolism caused by the repression of a single gene within phenylpropanoid pathway results in significant alterations, at the root level, in the response towards mutualistic and pathogenic associates. These changes may constrain plant fitness and biomass production, which are of economic importance for perennial industrial crops such as poplar.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Behr
- Laboratoire de Biotechnologie Végétale, Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Rue des Professeurs Jeener et Brachet 12, B-6041, Gosselies, Belgium
| | - Fabien Baldacci-Cresp
- Laboratoire de Biotechnologie Végétale, Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Rue des Professeurs Jeener et Brachet 12, B-6041, Gosselies, Belgium
| | - Annegret Kohler
- Unité Mixte de Recherche 1136, Interactions Arbres-Microorganismes, Laboratoire d'Excellence ARBRE, Centre INRAE Grand-Est-Nancy, INRAE-Université de Lorraine, 54280, Champenoux, France
| | - Kris Morreel
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Geert Goeminne
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Metabolomics Core, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Rebecca Van Acker
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Claire Veneault-Fourrey
- Unité Mixte de Recherche 1136, Interactions Arbres-Microorganismes, Laboratoire d'Excellence ARBRE, Centre INRAE Grand-Est-Nancy, INRAE-Université de Lorraine, 54280, Champenoux, France
| | - Adeline Mol
- Laboratoire de Biotechnologie Végétale, Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Rue des Professeurs Jeener et Brachet 12, B-6041, Gosselies, Belgium
| | | | - Wout Boerjan
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
| | | | - Mondher El Jaziri
- Laboratoire de Biotechnologie Végétale, Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Rue des Professeurs Jeener et Brachet 12, B-6041, Gosselies, Belgium
| | - Marie Baucher
- Laboratoire de Biotechnologie Végétale, Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Rue des Professeurs Jeener et Brachet 12, B-6041, Gosselies, Belgium.
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Li Q, Hu C, Li M, Truong P, Naik MT, Prabhu D, Hoffmann L, Rooney WL, Yuan JS. Discovering Biomass Structural Determinants Defining the Properties of Plant-Derived Renewable Carbon Fiber. iScience 2020; 23:101405. [PMID: 32771975 PMCID: PMC7415838 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2020.101405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2019] [Revised: 06/03/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Traditional lignocellulosic feedstock research has focused on biomass characteristics essential for improving saccharification efficiency, yet the key biomass features underlying high-quality renewable lignin materials remain unknown. Nevertheless, modern biorefinery cannot achieve sustainability and cost-effectiveness unless the lignin stream can be valorized. We hereby addressed these scientific gaps by investigating biomass characteristics defining lignin-based carbon materials properties. Lignin from eight sorghum samples with diverse characteristics was fabricated into carbon fibers (CFs). Remarkably, only lignin uniformity was found to define CF mechanical performance, highlighting the new structure-property relationship. Contrarily, lignin content and composition did not impact on carbon material properties. Mechanistic study by XRD and Raman spectroscopy revealed that higher lignin uniformity enhanced CF microstructures, in particular, turbostratic carbon content. The study for the first time highlighted lignin uniformity as an important biomass structure determinant for renewable products, which opened up new avenues for feedstock design toward diverse products enabling sustainable and cost-effective bioeconomy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Li
- Synthetic and Systems Biology Innovation Hub, Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Cheng Hu
- Synthetic and Systems Biology Innovation Hub, Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Mengjie Li
- Synthetic and Systems Biology Innovation Hub, Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA; College of Resources and Environment, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730030, China
| | - Phuc Truong
- Soft Matter Facility, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Mandar T Naik
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Physiology and Biotechnology, Brown University, Providence, RI 02903, USA
| | - Dwarkanath Prabhu
- Synthetic and Systems Biology Innovation Hub, Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Leo Hoffmann
- Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - William L Rooney
- Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Joshua S Yuan
- Synthetic and Systems Biology Innovation Hub, Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA.
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Vidyagina EO, Subbotina NM, Belyi VA, Lebedev VG, Krutovsky KV, Shestibratov KA. Various effects of the expression of the xyloglucanase gene from Penicillium canescens in transgenic aspen under semi-natural conditions. BMC PLANT BIOLOGY 2020; 20:251. [PMID: 32493269 PMCID: PMC7268456 DOI: 10.1186/s12870-020-02469-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2019] [Accepted: 05/26/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recombinant carbohydrases genes are used to produce transgenic woody plants with improved phenotypic traits. However, cultivation of such plants in open field is challenging due to a number of problems. Therefore, additional research is needed to alleviate them. RESULTS Results of successful cultivation of the transgenic aspens (Populus tremula) carrying the recombinant xyloglucanase gene (sp-Xeg) from Penicillium canescens in semi-natural conditions are reported in this paper for the first time. Change of carbohydrate composition of wood was observed in transgenic aspens carrying the sp-Xeg gene. The transformed transgenic line Xeg-2-1b demonstrated accelerated growth and increased content of cellulose in wood of trees growing in both greenhouse and outside in comparison with the control untransformed line Pt. The accelerated growth was observed also in the transgenic line Xeg-1-1c. Thicker cell-wall and longer xylem fiber were also observed in both these transgenic lines. Undescribed earlier considerable reduction in the wood decomposition rate of the transgenic aspen stems was also revealed for the transformed transgenic lines. The decomposition rate was approximately twice as lower for the transgenic line Xeg-2-3b in comparison with the control untransformed line Pt. CONCLUSION A direct dependence of the phenotypic and biochemical traits on the expression of the recombinant gene sp-Xeg was demonstrated. The higher was the level of the sp-Xeg gene expression, the more pronounced were changes in the phenotypic and biochemical traits. All lines showed phenotypic changes in the leave traits. Our results showed that the plants carrying the recombinant sp-Xeg gene do not demonstrate a decrease in growth parameters in semi-natural conditions. In some transgenic lines, a change in the carbohydrate composition of the wood, an increase in the cell wall thickness, and a decrease in the rate of decomposition of wood were observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena O. Vidyagina
- Branch of the Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Prospect Nauki 6, Pushchino, Russian Federation 142290
| | - Natalia M. Subbotina
- Branch of the Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Prospect Nauki 6, Pushchino, Russian Federation 142290
| | - Vladimir A. Belyi
- Institute of Сhemistry, Komi Science Centre, Urals Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Republic of Komi, Pervomaiskaya Str. 48, Syktyvkar, Russian Federation 167000
| | - Vadim G. Lebedev
- Branch of the Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Prospect Nauki 6, Pushchino, Russian Federation 142290
| | - Konstantin V. Krutovsky
- Department of Forest Genetics and Forest Tree Breeding, George-August University of Göttingen, Büsgenweg 2, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
- Center for Integrated Breeding Research, George-August University of Göttingen, Albrecht-Thaer-Weg 3, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
- Laboratory of Population Genetics, N. I. Vavilov Institute of General Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Gubkina Str. 3, Moscow, Russian Federation 119991
- Laboratory of Forest Genomics, Genomic Research and Education Center, Institute of Fundamental Biology and Biotechnology, Siberian Federal University, Akademgorodok 50a/2, Krasnoyarsk, Russian Federation 660036
- Department of Ecosystem Sciences and Management, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-2138 USA
| | - Konstantin A. Shestibratov
- Branch of the Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Prospect Nauki 6, Pushchino, Russian Federation 142290
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Gui J, Lam PY, Tobimatsu Y, Sun J, Huang C, Cao S, Zhong Y, Umezawa T, Li L. Fibre-specific regulation of lignin biosynthesis improves biomass quality in Populus. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2020; 226:1074-1087. [PMID: 31909485 PMCID: PMC7216960 DOI: 10.1111/nph.16411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2019] [Accepted: 12/27/2019] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Lignin is a major component of cell wall biomass and decisively affects biomass utilisation. Engineering of lignin biosynthesis is extensively studied, while lignin modification often causes growth defects. We developed a strategy for cell-type-specific modification of lignin to achieve improvements in cell wall property without growth penalty. We targeted a lignin-related transcription factor, LTF1, for modification of lignin biosynthesis. LTF1 can be engineered to a nonphosphorylation form which is introduced into Populus under the control of either a vessel-specific or fibre-specific promoter. The transgenics with lignin suppression in vessels showed severe dwarfism and thin-walled vessels, while the transgenics with lignin suppression in fibres displayed vigorous growth with normal vessels under phytotron, glasshouse and field conditions. In-depth lignin structural analyses revealed that such cell-type-specific downregulation of lignin biosynthesis led to the alteration of overall lignin composition in xylem tissues reflecting the population of distinctive lignin polymers produced in vessel and fibre cells. This study demonstrates that fibre-specific suppression of lignin biosynthesis resulted in the improvement of wood biomass quality and saccharification efficiency and presents an effective strategy to precisely regulate lignin biosynthesis with desired growth performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinshan Gui
- National Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics and CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant SciencesShanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and EcologyChinese Academy of SciencesShanghai200032China
| | - Pui Ying Lam
- Research Institute for Sustainable HumanosphereKyoto UniversityUjiKyoto611‐0011Japan
| | - Yuki Tobimatsu
- Research Institute for Sustainable HumanosphereKyoto UniversityUjiKyoto611‐0011Japan
| | - Jiayan Sun
- National Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics and CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant SciencesShanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and EcologyChinese Academy of SciencesShanghai200032China
| | - Cheng Huang
- National Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics and CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant SciencesShanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and EcologyChinese Academy of SciencesShanghai200032China
| | - Shumin Cao
- National Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics and CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant SciencesShanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and EcologyChinese Academy of SciencesShanghai200032China
- University of the Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijing100049China
| | - Yu Zhong
- National Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics and CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant SciencesShanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and EcologyChinese Academy of SciencesShanghai200032China
- University of the Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijing100049China
| | - Toshiaki Umezawa
- Research Institute for Sustainable HumanosphereKyoto UniversityUjiKyoto611‐0011Japan
| | - Laigeng Li
- National Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics and CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant SciencesShanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and EcologyChinese Academy of SciencesShanghai200032China
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Moneo-Sánchez M, Vaquero-Rodríguez A, Hernández-Nistal J, Albornos L, Knox P, Dopico B, Labrador E, Martín I. Pectic galactan affects cell wall architecture during secondary cell wall deposition. PLANTA 2020; 251:100. [PMID: 32328732 DOI: 10.1007/s00425-020-03394-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2020] [Accepted: 04/16/2020] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
β-(1,4)-galactan determines the interactions between different matrix polysaccharides and cellulose during the cessation of cell elongation. Despite recent advances regarding the role of pectic β-(1,4)-galactan neutral side chains in primary cell wall remodelling during growth and cell elongation, little is known about the specific function of this polymer in other developmental processes. We have used transgenic Arabidopsis plants overproducing chickpea βI-Gal β-galactosidase under the 35S CaMV promoter (35S::βI-Gal) with reduced galactan levels in the basal non-elongating floral stem internodes to gain insight into the role of β-(1,4)-galactan in cell wall architecture during the cessation of elongation and the beginning of secondary growth. The loss of galactan mediated by βI-Gal in 35S::βI-Gal plants is accompanied by a reduction in the levels of KOH-extracted xyloglucan and an increase in the levels of xyloglucan released by a cellulose-specific endoglucanase. These variations in cellulose-xyloglucan interactions cause an altered xylan and mannan deposition in the cell wall that in turn results in a deficient lignin deposition. Considering these results, we can state that β-(1,4)-galactan plays a key structural role in the correct organization of the different domains of the cell wall during the cessation of growth and the early events of secondary cell wall development. These findings reinforce the notion that there is a mutual dependence between the different polysaccharides and lignin polymers to form an organized and functional cell wall.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Moneo-Sánchez
- Departamento de Botánica y Fisiología Vegetal, Centro Hispano Luso de Investigaciones Agrarias (CIALE), Universidad de Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Andrea Vaquero-Rodríguez
- Departamento de Botánica y Fisiología Vegetal, Centro Hispano Luso de Investigaciones Agrarias (CIALE), Universidad de Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
| | | | - Lucía Albornos
- Departamento de Botánica y Fisiología Vegetal, Centro Hispano Luso de Investigaciones Agrarias (CIALE), Universidad de Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Paul Knox
- Centre for Plant Sciences, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Berta Dopico
- Departamento de Botánica y Fisiología Vegetal, Centro Hispano Luso de Investigaciones Agrarias (CIALE), Universidad de Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Emilia Labrador
- Departamento de Botánica y Fisiología Vegetal, Centro Hispano Luso de Investigaciones Agrarias (CIALE), Universidad de Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Ignacio Martín
- Departamento de Botánica y Fisiología Vegetal, Centro Hispano Luso de Investigaciones Agrarias (CIALE), Universidad de Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain.
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Fang H, Wright T, Jinn JR, Guo W, Zhang N, Wang X, Wang YJ, Xu J. Engineering hydroxyproline-O-glycosylated biopolymers to reconstruct the plant cell wall for improved biomass processability. Biotechnol Bioeng 2020; 117:945-958. [PMID: 31930479 DOI: 10.1002/bit.27266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2019] [Revised: 12/23/2019] [Accepted: 01/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Reconstructing the chemical and structural characteristics of the plant cell wall represents a promising solution to overcoming lignocellulosic biomass recalcitrance to biochemical deconstruction. This study aims to leverage hydroxyproline (Hyp)-O-glycosylation, a process unique to plant cell wall glycoproteins, as an innovative technology for de novo design and engineering in planta of Hyp-O-glycosylated biopolymers (HypGP) that facilitate plant cell wall reconstruction. HypGP consisting of 18 tandem repeats of "Ser-Hyp-Hyp-Hyp-Hyp" motif or (SP4)18 was designed and engineered into tobacco plants as a fusion peptide with either a reporter protein enhanced green fluorescence protein or the catalytic domain of a thermophilic E1 endoglucanase (E1cd) from Acidothermus cellulolyticus. The engineered (SP4)18 module was extensively Hyp-O-glycosylated with arabino-oligosaccharides, which facilitated the deposition of the fused protein/enzyme in the cell wall matrix and improved the accumulation of the protein/enzyme in planta by 1.5-11-fold. The enzyme activity of the recombinant E1cd was not affected by the fused (SP4)18 module, showing an optimal temperature of 80°C and optimal pH between 5 and 8. The plant biomass engineered with the (SP4)18 -tagged protein/enzyme increased the biomass saccharification efficiency by up to 3.5-fold without having adverse impact on the plant growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Fang
- Arkansas Biosciences Institute, Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, Arkansas
- College of Agriculture, Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, Arkansas
| | - Tristen Wright
- Department of Biological Sciences, Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, Arkansas
| | - Jia-Rong Jinn
- Department of Food Sciences, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas
| | - Wenzheng Guo
- Arkansas Biosciences Institute, Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, Arkansas
| | - Ningning Zhang
- Arkansas Biosciences Institute, Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, Arkansas
- Department of Biological Sciences, Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, Arkansas
| | - Xiaoting Wang
- Arkansas Biosciences Institute, Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, Arkansas
- Department of Biological Sciences, Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, Arkansas
| | - Ya-Jane Wang
- Department of Food Sciences, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas
| | - Jianfeng Xu
- Arkansas Biosciences Institute, Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, Arkansas
- College of Agriculture, Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, Arkansas
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Straub CT, Bing RG, Wang JP, Chiang VL, Adams MWW, Kelly RM. Use of the lignocellulose-degrading bacterium Caldicellulosiruptor bescii to assess recalcitrance and conversion of wild-type and transgenic poplar. BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR BIOFUELS 2020; 13:43. [PMID: 32180826 PMCID: PMC7065347 DOI: 10.1186/s13068-020-01675-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2019] [Accepted: 02/04/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Biological conversion of lignocellulosic biomass is significantly hindered by feedstock recalcitrance, which is typically assessed through an enzymatic digestion assay, often preceded by a thermal and/or chemical pretreatment. Here, we assay 17 lines of unpretreated transgenic black cottonwood (Populus trichocarpa) utilizing a lignocellulose-degrading, metabolically engineered bacterium, Caldicellulosiruptor bescii. The poplar lines were assessed by incubation with an engineered C. bescii strain that solubilized and converted the hexose and pentose carbohydrates to ethanol and acetate. The resulting fermentation titer and biomass solubilization were then utilized as a measure of biomass recalcitrance and compared to data previously reported on the transgenic poplar samples. RESULTS Of the 17 transgenic poplar lines examined with C. bescii, a wide variation in solubilization and fermentation titer was observed. While the wild type poplar control demonstrated relatively high recalcitrance with a total solubilization of only 20% and a fermentation titer of 7.3 mM, the transgenic lines resulted in solubilization ranging from 15 to 79% and fermentation titers from 6.8 to 29.6 mM. Additionally, a strong inverse correlation (R 2 = 0.8) between conversion efficiency and lignin content was observed with lower lignin samples more easily converted and solubilized by C. bescii. CONCLUSIONS Feedstock recalcitrance can be significantly reduced with transgenic plants, but finding the correct modification may require a large sample set to identify the most advantageous genetic modifications for the feedstock. Utilizing C. bescii as a screening assay for recalcitrance, poplar lines with down-regulation of coumarate 3-hydroxylase 3 (C3H3) resulted in the highest degrees of solubilization and conversion by C. bescii. One such line, with a growth phenotype similar to the wild-type, generated more than three times the fermentation products of the wild-type poplar control, suggesting that excellent digestibility can be achieved without compromising fitness of the tree.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher T. Straub
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, EB-1, 911 Partners Way, Raleigh, NC 27695-7905 USA
| | - Ryan G. Bing
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, EB-1, 911 Partners Way, Raleigh, NC 27695-7905 USA
| | - Jack P. Wang
- Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695 USA
| | - Vincent L. Chiang
- Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695 USA
| | - Michael W. W. Adams
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602 USA
| | - Robert M. Kelly
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, EB-1, 911 Partners Way, Raleigh, NC 27695-7905 USA
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Sakamoto S, Kamimura N, Tokue Y, Nakata MT, Yamamoto M, Hu S, Masai E, Mitsuda N, Kajita S. Identification of enzymatic genes with the potential to reduce biomass recalcitrance through lignin manipulation in Arabidopsis. BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR BIOFUELS 2020; 13:97. [PMID: 32514309 PMCID: PMC7260809 DOI: 10.1186/s13068-020-01736-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2019] [Accepted: 04/09/2020] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND During the chemical and biochemical decomposition of lignocellulosic biomasses, lignin is highly recalcitrant. Genetic transformation of plants to qualitatively and/or quantitatively modify lignin may reduce these recalcitrant properties. Efficient discovery of genes to achieve lignin manipulation is thus required. RESULTS To screen for new genes to reduce lignin recalcitrance, we heterologously expressed 50 enzymatic genes under the control of a cinnamate 4-hydroxylase (C4H) gene promoter, derived from a hybrid aspen, which is preferentially active in tissues with lignified cell walls in Arabidopsis plants. These genes encode enzymes that act on metabolites in shikimate, general phenylpropanoid, flavonoid, or monolignol biosynthetic pathways. Among these genes, 30, 18, and 2 originated from plants, bacteria, and fungi, respectively. In our first screening step, 296 independent transgenic plants (T1 generation) harboring single or multiple transgenes were generated from pools of seven Agrobacterium strains used for conventional floral-dip transformation. Wiesner and Mäule staining patterns in the stems of the resultant plants revealed seven and nine plants with apparent abnormalities in the two respective staining analyses. According to genomic PCR and subsequent direct sequencing, each of these 16 plants possessed a gene encoding either coniferaldehyde dehydrogenase (calB), feruloyl-CoA 6'-hydroxylase (F6H1), hydroxycinnamoyl-CoA hydratase/lyase (couA), or ferulate 5-hydroxylase (F5H), with one transgenic plant carrying both calB and F6H1. The effects of these genes on lignin manipulation were confirmed in individually re-created T1 transgenic Arabidopsis plants. While no difference in lignin content was detected in the transgenic lines compared with the wild type, lignin monomeric composition was changed in the transgenic lines. The observed compositional change in the transgenic plants carrying calB, couA, and F5H led to improved sugar release from cell walls after alkaline pretreatment. CONCLUSIONS Simple colorimetric characterization of stem lignin is useful for simultaneous screening of many genes with the potential to reduce lignin recalcitrance. In addition to F5H, the positive control, we identified three enzyme-coding genes that can function as genetic tools for lignin manipulation. Two of these genes (calB and couA) accelerate sugar release from transgenic lignocelluloses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shingo Sakamoto
- Plant Gene Regulation Research Group, Bioproduction Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8566 Japan
| | - Naofumi Kamimura
- Department of Bioengineering, Nagaoka University of Technology, Nagaoka, Niigata 940-2188 Japan
| | - Yosuke Tokue
- Plant Gene Regulation Research Group, Bioproduction Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8566 Japan
- Department of Bioengineering, Nagaoka University of Technology, Nagaoka, Niigata 940-2188 Japan
| | - Miyuki T. Nakata
- Plant Gene Regulation Research Group, Bioproduction Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8566 Japan
- Present Address: Graduate School of Biological Sciences, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, Ikoma, Nara 630-0192 Japan
| | - Masanobu Yamamoto
- Graduate School of Bio-Applications and Systems Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Koganei, Tokyo 184-8588 Japan
| | - Shi Hu
- Graduate School of Bio-Applications and Systems Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Koganei, Tokyo 184-8588 Japan
| | - Eiji Masai
- Department of Bioengineering, Nagaoka University of Technology, Nagaoka, Niigata 940-2188 Japan
| | - Nobutaka Mitsuda
- Plant Gene Regulation Research Group, Bioproduction Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8566 Japan
| | - Shinya Kajita
- Graduate School of Bio-Applications and Systems Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Koganei, Tokyo 184-8588 Japan
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Pires Nogueira D, Ferreira Rosa PR, Aparecida Seolatto A, Galeano Suarez CA, Ferreira Freitas F. Saccharification of Orange Bagasse Pre-treated with Calcium Hydroxide using an enzymatic blend Diluted Hydrochloric Acid. REVISTA ION 2019. [DOI: 10.18273/revion.v32n1-2018007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Enzymatic and dilute acid processes were applied to study the orange bagasse hydrolysis. The moisture, ashes, lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose contents, of the orange peels, were quantified. The xylanase and cellulase enzymes activities were quantified, as well as their optimum pH and temperatures. The pre dried orange peel biomass was pre-treated with calcium hydroxide, at preestablished conditions. The hydrolysis followed a central composite factorial 2³ design. The cellulase activity was 28.05x10-6 FPU (Filter Paper Units)/m3, the optimum pH was 4.8 and the temperature was 60°C. The results for xylanase were an activity of 199.58x10-3 U/Kg, pH 5.2, and temperature 50°C. The acid hydrolysis TRS (total reducing sugars) values varied from (9.328±0.68 mg)*10-3 TRS per Kg of biomass to (30.15±0.31)*10-3 mg TRS per Kg biomass, the most significant factor was the temperature and the least the time. The enzymatic hydrolysis TRS values varied from (77.33±3.82)*10-3 mg TRS per Kg biomass to (99.66±0.62)*10-3 mg TRS per Kg biomass, the most significant factor was the concentration of cellulase and the least the xylanase concentration.
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