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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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2
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Oliveira DM, Cao D. Spotlight on overlooked lignin monomers: Hydroxycinnamaldehydes. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2024; 194:1250-1252. [PMID: 37933704 PMCID: PMC10904313 DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiad589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Dyoni M Oliveira
- Assistant Features Editor, Plant Physiology, American Society of Plant Biologists
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Dechang Cao
- Assistant Features Editor, Plant Physiology, American Society of Plant Biologists
- Germplasm Bank of Wild Species, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan 650201, China
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3
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Yoshioka K, Kim H, Lu F, De Ridder N, Vanholme R, Kajita S, Boerjan W, Ralph J. Hydroxycinnamaldehyde-derived benzofuran components in lignins. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2024; 194:1370-1382. [PMID: 37773018 DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiad514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023]
Abstract
Lignin is an abundant polymer in plant secondary cell walls. Prototypical lignins derive from the polymerization of monolignols (hydroxycinnamyl alcohols), mainly coniferyl and sinapyl alcohol, via combinatorial radical coupling reactions and primarily via the endwise coupling of a monomer with the phenolic end of the growing polymer. Hydroxycinnamaldehyde units have long been recognized as minor components of lignins. In plants deficient in cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase, the last enzyme in the monolignol biosynthesis pathway that reduces hydroxycinnamaldehydes to monolignols, chain-incorporated aldehyde unit levels are elevated. The nature and relative levels of aldehyde components in lignins can be determined from their distinct and dispersed correlations in 2D 1H-13C-correlated nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra. We recently became aware of aldehyde NMR peaks, well resolved from others, that had been overlooked. NMR of isolated low-molecular-weight oligomers from biomimetic radical coupling reactions involving coniferaldehyde revealed that the correlation peaks belonged to hydroxycinnamaldehyde-derived benzofuran moieties. Coniferaldehyde 8-5-coupling initially produces the expected phenylcoumaran structures, but the derived phenolic radicals undergo preferential disproportionation rather than radical coupling to extend the growing polymer. As a result, the hydroxycinnamaldehyde-derived phenylcoumaran units are difficult to detect in lignins, but the benzofurans are now readily observed by their distinct and dispersed correlations in the aldehyde region of NMR spectra from any lignin or monolignol dehydrogenation polymer. Hydroxycinnamaldehydes that are coupled to coniferaldehyde can be distinguished from those coupled with a generic guaiacyl end-unit. These benzofuran peaks may now be annotated and reported and their structural ramifications further studied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koichi Yoshioka
- The US Department of Energy's Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53726, USA
- The Wisconsin Energy Institute, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53726, USA
| | - Hoon Kim
- The US Department of Energy's Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53726, USA
- The Wisconsin Energy Institute, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53726, USA
| | - Fachuang Lu
- The US Department of Energy's Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53726, USA
- The Wisconsin Energy Institute, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53726, USA
| | - Nette De Ridder
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Technologiepark 71, Ghent 9052, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, VIB, 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, VIB, Technologiepark 71, Ghent 9052, Belgium
| | - Shinya Kajita
- Graduate School of Bio-Applications and Systems Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo 184-8588, Japan
- Institute of Global Innovation Research, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo 184-8588, Japan
| | - Wout Boerjan
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Technologiepark 71, Ghent 9052, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, VIB, Technologiepark 71, Ghent 9052, Belgium
| | - John Ralph
- The US Department of Energy's Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53726, USA
- The Wisconsin Energy Institute, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53726, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA
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4
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Scott CJR, Leadbeater DR, Oates NC, James SR, Newling K, Li Y, McGregor NGS, Bird S, Bruce NC. Whole genome structural predictions reveal hidden diversity in putative oxidative enzymes of the lignocellulose-degrading ascomycete Parascedosporium putredinis NO1. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0103523. [PMID: 37811978 PMCID: PMC10714830 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01035-23] [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: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE An annotated reference genome has revealed P. putredinis NO1 as a useful resource for the identification of new lignocellulose-degrading enzymes for biorefining of woody plant biomass. Utilizing a "structure-omics"-based searching strategy, we identified new potentially lignocellulose-active sequences that would have been missed by traditional sequence searching methods. These new identifications, alongside the discovery of novel enzymatic functions from this underexplored lineage with the recent discovery of a new phenol oxidase that cleaves the main structural β-O-4 linkage in lignin from P. putredinis NO1, highlight the underexplored and poorly represented family Microascaceae as a particularly interesting candidate worthy of further exploration toward the valorization of high value biorenewable products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Conor J. R. Scott
- Department of Biology, Centre for Novel Agricultural Products, University of York, York, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel R. Leadbeater
- Department of Biology, Centre for Novel Agricultural Products, University of York, York, United Kingdom
| | - Nicola C. Oates
- Department of Biology, Centre for Novel Agricultural Products, University of York, York, United Kingdom
| | - Sally R. James
- Department of Biology, Bioscience Technology Facility, University of York, York, United Kingdom
| | - Katherine Newling
- Department of Biology, Bioscience Technology Facility, University of York, York, United Kingdom
| | - Yi Li
- Department of Biology, Bioscience Technology Facility, University of York, York, United Kingdom
| | - Nicholas G. S. McGregor
- Department of Chemistry, York Structural Biology Laboratory, The University of York, York, United Kingdom
| | - Susannah Bird
- Department of Biology, Centre for Novel Agricultural Products, University of York, York, United Kingdom
| | - Neil C. Bruce
- Department of Biology, Centre for Novel Agricultural Products, University of York, York, United Kingdom
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5
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Rates ADB, Cesarino I. Pour some sugar on me: The diverse functions of phenylpropanoid glycosylation. JOURNAL OF PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 291:154138. [PMID: 38006622 DOI: 10.1016/j.jplph.2023.154138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/27/2023]
Abstract
The phenylpropanoid metabolism is the source of a vast array of specialized metabolites that play diverse functions in plant growth and development and contribute to all aspects of plant interactions with their surrounding environment. These compounds protect plants from damaging ultraviolet radiation and reactive oxygen species, provide mechanical support for the plants to stand upright, and mediate plant-plant and plant-microorganism communications. The enormous metabolic diversity of phenylpropanoids is further expanded by chemical modifications known as "decorative reactions", including hydroxylation, methylation, glycosylation, and acylation. Among these modifications, glycosylation is the major driving force of phenylpropanoid structural diversification, also contributing to the expansion of their properties. Phenylpropanoid glycosylation is catalyzed by regioselective uridine diphosphate (UDP)-dependent glycosyltransferases (UGTs), whereas glycosyl hydrolases known as β-glucosidases are the major players in deglycosylation. In this article, we review how the glycosylation process affects key physicochemical properties of phenylpropanoids, such as molecular stability and solubility, as well as metabolite compartmentalization/storage and biological activity/toxicity. We also summarize the recent knowledge on the functional implications of glycosylation of different classes of phenylpropanoid compounds. A balance of glycosylation/deglycosylation might represent an essential molecular mechanism to regulate phenylpropanoid homeostasis, allowing plants to dynamically respond to diverse environmental signals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arthur de Barros Rates
- Departamento de Botânica, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, Rua do Matão 277, 05508-090, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Igor Cesarino
- Departamento de Botânica, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, Rua do Matão 277, 05508-090, São Paulo, Brazil; Synthetic and Systems Biology Center, InovaUSP, Avenida Professor Lucio Martins Rodrigues 370, 05508-020, São Paulo, Brazil.
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6
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Balk M, Sofia P, Neffe AT, Tirelli N. Lignin, the Lignification Process, and Advanced, Lignin-Based Materials. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11668. [PMID: 37511430 PMCID: PMC10380785 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241411668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
At a time when environmental considerations are increasingly pushing for the application of circular economy concepts in materials science, lignin stands out as an under-used but promising and environmentally benign building block. This review focuses (A) on understanding what we mean with lignin, i.e., where it can be found and how it is produced in plants, devoting particular attention to the identity of lignols (including ferulates that are instrumental for integrating lignin with cell wall polysaccharides) and to the details of their coupling reactions and (B) on providing an overview how lignin can actually be employed as a component of materials in healthcare and energy applications, finally paying specific attention to the use of lignin in the development of organic shape-memory materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Balk
- Institute of Functional Materials for Sustainability, Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, Kantstrasse 55, 14513 Teltow, Germany
| | - Pietro Sofia
- Laboratory of Polymers and Biomaterials, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163 Genova, Italy
- The Open University Affiliated Research Centre at the Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (ARC@IIT), Via Morego 30, 16163 Genova, Italy
| | - Axel T Neffe
- Institute of Functional Materials for Sustainability, Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, Kantstrasse 55, 14513 Teltow, Germany
| | - Nicola Tirelli
- Laboratory of Polymers and Biomaterials, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163 Genova, Italy
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7
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Ramakrishna P, Cesarino I. "Exclusive" update: p-coumaroylation of lignin not restricted to commelinid monocots. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 191:811-813. [PMID: 36423227 PMCID: PMC9922419 DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiac536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Priya Ramakrishna
- Laboratory for Biological Geochemistry, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, UNIL – Geopolis, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Igor Cesarino
- Departamento de Botânica, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, Rua do Matão, 277, 05508-090, São Paulo, Brazil
- Synthetic and Systems Biology Center, InovaUSP, Avenida Professor Lucio Martins Rodrigues, 370, 05508-020, São Paulo, Brazil
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Hellinger J, Kim H, Ralph J, Karlen SD. p-Coumaroylation of lignin occurs outside of commelinid monocots in the eudicot genus Morus (mulberry). PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 191:854-861. [PMID: 36269202 PMCID: PMC9922387 DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiac485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The presence of p-coumarate (pCA) in plant cell walls is generally considered to be a trait present only in commelinid monocots. Here, we show that this long-held overgeneralizing assumption is incorrect and that mulberry trees (Morus) are eudicot plants that have lignins derived in part from monolignol pCA esters. As in commelinid monocots, the lignin-bound pCA acylates the sidechain γ-hydroxyl of both coniferyl and syringyl units. This discovery expands mulberry's potential applications to include being a source of p-coumaric acid, a supplier of nutritious berries, a forage crop, a decorative plant, and the main food source for silkworms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Hellinger
- Department of Energy, Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, Wisconsin Energy Institute, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53726, USA
| | - Hoon Kim
- Department of Energy, Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, Wisconsin Energy Institute, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53726, USA
| | - John Ralph
- Department of Energy, Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, Wisconsin Energy Institute, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53726, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA
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9
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Mottiar Y, Smith RA, Karlen SD, Ralph J, Mansfield SD. Evolution of p-coumaroylated lignin in eudicots provides new tools for cell wall engineering. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2023; 237:251-264. [PMID: 36196006 PMCID: PMC10099755 DOI: 10.1111/nph.18518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Ester-linked p-coumarate (pCA) is a hallmark feature of the secondary cell walls in commelinid monocot plants. It has been shown that pCA groups arise during lignin polymerisation from the participation of monolignol conjugates assembled by p-coumaroyl-CoA:monolignol transferase (PMT) enzymes, members of the BAHD superfamily of acyltransferases. Herein, we report that a eudicot species, kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus), naturally contains p-coumaroylated lignin in the core tissues of the stems but not in the bast fibres. Moreover, we identified a novel acyltransferase, HcPMT, that shares <30% amino acid identity with known monocot PMT sequences. Recombinant HcPMT showed a preference in enzyme assays for p-coumaroyl-CoA and benzoyl-CoA as acyl donor substrates and sinapyl alcohol as an acyl acceptor. Heterologous expression of HcPMT in hybrid poplar trees led to the incorporation of pCA in lignin, but no improvement in the saccharification potential of the wood. This work illustrates the value in mining diverse plant taxa for new monolignol acyltransferases. Furthermore, the occurrence of pCA outside monocot lineages may represent another example of convergent evolution in lignin structure. This discovery expands textbook views on cell wall biochemistry and provides a new molecular tool for engineering the lignin of biomass feedstock plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaseen Mottiar
- Department of Wood ScienceUniversity of British Columbia2424 Main MallVancouverBCV6T 1Z4Canada
- Department of Energy Great Lakes Bioenergy Research CenterUniversity of Wisconsin1552 University AvenueMadisonWI53726USA
| | - Rebecca A. Smith
- Department of Energy Great Lakes Bioenergy Research CenterUniversity of Wisconsin1552 University AvenueMadisonWI53726USA
- Department of BiochemistryUniversity of Wisconsin433 Babcock DriveMadisonWI53706USA
| | - Steven D. Karlen
- Department of Energy Great Lakes Bioenergy Research CenterUniversity of Wisconsin1552 University AvenueMadisonWI53726USA
- Department of BiochemistryUniversity of Wisconsin433 Babcock DriveMadisonWI53706USA
| | - John Ralph
- Department of Energy Great Lakes Bioenergy Research CenterUniversity of Wisconsin1552 University AvenueMadisonWI53726USA
- Department of BiochemistryUniversity of Wisconsin433 Babcock DriveMadisonWI53706USA
| | - Shawn D. Mansfield
- Department of Wood ScienceUniversity of British Columbia2424 Main MallVancouverBCV6T 1Z4Canada
- Department of Energy Great Lakes Bioenergy Research CenterUniversity of Wisconsin1552 University AvenueMadisonWI53726USA
- Department of BotanyUniversity of British Columbia6270 University BoulevardVancouverBCV6T 1Z4Canada
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10
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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: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [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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11
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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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12
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Ferreira SS, Goeminne G, Simões MS, Pina AVDA, Lima LGAD, Pezard J, Gutiérrez A, Rencoret J, Mortimer JC, Del Río JC, Boerjan W, Cesarino I. Transcriptional and metabolic changes associated with internode development and reduced cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase activity in sorghum. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2022; 73:6307-6333. [PMID: 35788296 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erac300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The molecular mechanisms associated with secondary cell wall (SCW) deposition in sorghum remain largely uncharacterized. Here, we employed untargeted metabolomics and large-scale transcriptomics to correlate changes in SCW deposition with variation in global gene expression profiles and metabolite abundance along an elongating internode of sorghum, with a major focus on lignin and phenolic metabolism. To gain deeper insight into the metabolic and transcriptional changes associated with pathway perturbations, a bmr6 mutant [with reduced cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase (CAD) activity] was analyzed. In the wild type, internode development was accompanied by an increase in the content of oligolignols, p-hydroxybenzaldehyde, hydroxycinnamate esters, and flavonoid glucosides, including tricin derivatives. We further identified modules of genes whose expression pattern correlated with SCW deposition and the accumulation of these target metabolites. Reduced CAD activity resulted in the accumulation of hexosylated forms of hydroxycinnamates (and their derivatives), hydroxycinnamaldehydes, and benzenoids. The expression of genes belonging to one specific module in our co-expression analysis correlated with the differential accumulation of these compounds and contributed to explaining this metabolic phenotype. Metabolomics and transcriptomics data further suggested that CAD perturbation activates distinct detoxification routes in sorghum internodes. Our systems biology approach provides a landscape of the metabolic and transcriptional changes associated with internode development and with reduced CAD activity in sorghum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sávio Siqueira Ferreira
- Departamento de Botânica, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, Rua do Matão, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Geert Goeminne
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Metabolomics Core, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Marcella Siqueira Simões
- Departamento de Botânica, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, Rua do Matão, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | - Jade Pezard
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, CA, USA
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Ana Gutiérrez
- Instituto de Recursos Naturales y Agrobiología de Sevilla (IRNAS), CSIC, Avenida de la Reina Mercedes, Seville, Spain
| | - Jorge Rencoret
- Instituto de Recursos Naturales y Agrobiología de Sevilla (IRNAS), CSIC, Avenida de la Reina Mercedes, Seville, Spain
| | - Jenny C Mortimer
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, CA, USA
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - José C Del Río
- Instituto de Recursos Naturales y Agrobiología de Sevilla (IRNAS), CSIC, Avenida de la Reina Mercedes, Seville, Spain
| | - Wout Boerjan
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Igor Cesarino
- Departamento de Botânica, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, Rua do Matão, São Paulo, Brazil
- Synthetic and Systems Biology Center, InovaUSP, Avenida Professor Lucio Martins Rodrigues, São Paulo, Brazil
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13
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Muro-Villanueva F, Kim H, Ralph J, Chapple C. H-lignin can be deposited independently of CINNAMYL ALCOHOL DEHYDROGENASE C and D in Arabidopsis. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2022; 189:2015-2028. [PMID: 35522042 PMCID: PMC9342963 DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiac210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Lignin contributes substantially to the recalcitrance of biomass toward saccharification. To circumvent this problem, researchers have genetically altered lignin, although, in a number of cases, these efforts have resulted in an undesirable yield penalty. Recent findings have shown that by knocking out two subunits (MED5A and MED5B) of the transcriptional regulatory complex Mediator, the stunted growth phenotype of mutants in p-coumaroyl shikimate 3'-hydroxylase, reduced epidermal fluorescence 8-1 (ref8-1), can be alleviated. Furthermore, these plants synthesize a lignin polymer almost entirely derived from p-coumaryl alcohol. Plants deficient in cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase (CAD) are notable in that they primarily incorporate coniferaldehyde and sinapaldehyde into their lignin. We tested the hypothesis that by stacking mutations in the genes encoding for the CAD paralogs C and D on an Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) med5a/5b ref8-1 genetic background, the biosynthesis of p-coumaryl alcohol would be blocked, making p-coumaraldehyde available for polymerization into a novel kind of lignin. The med5a/5b ref8-1 cadc cadd plants are viable, but lignin analysis demonstrated that they continue to synthesize p-hydroxyphenyl lignin despite being mutated for the CADs typically considered to be required for monolignol biosynthesis. In addition, enzyme activity tests showed that even in the absence of CADC and CADD, there is high CAD activity in stems. We tested the potential involvement of other CADs in p-coumaraldehyde biosynthesis in the quintuple mutant by mutating them using the CRISPR/Cas9 system. Lignin analysis demonstrated that the resulting hextuple mutant plants continue to deposit p-coumaryl alcohol-derived lignin, demonstrating a route for the synthesis of p-hydroxyphenyl lignin in Arabidopsis independent of four CAD isoforms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabiola Muro-Villanueva
- Department of Biochemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, USA
- Center for Plant Biology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, USA
| | - Hoon Kim
- US Department of Energy’s Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center (GLBRC), Wisconsin Energy Institute (WEI), Madison, Wisconsin 53726, USA
| | - John Ralph
- US Department of Energy’s Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center (GLBRC), Wisconsin Energy Institute (WEI), Madison, Wisconsin 53726, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA
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Genome-wide analysis of the CAD gene family reveals two bona fide CAD genes in oil palm. 3 Biotech 2022; 12:149. [PMID: 35747504 PMCID: PMC9209623 DOI: 10.1007/s13205-022-03208-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase (CAD) is the key enzyme for lignin biosynthesis in plants. In this study, genome-wide analysis was performed to identify CAD genes in oil palm (Elaeis guineensis). Phylogenetic analysis was then conducted to select the bona fide EgCADs. The bona fide EgCAD genes and their respective 5' flanking regions were cloned and analysed. Their expression profiles were evaluated in various organs using RT-PCR. Seven EgCAD genes (EgCAD1-7) were identified and divided into four phylogenetic groups. EgCAD1 and EgCAD2 display high sequence similarities with other bona fide CADs and possess all the signature motifs of the bona fide CAD. They also display similar 3D protein structures. Gene expression analysis showed that EgCAD1 was expressed most abundantly in the root tissues, while EgCAD2 was expressed constitutively in all the tissues studied. EgCAD1 possesses only one transcription start site, while EgCAD2 has five. Interestingly, a TC microsatellite was found in the 5' flanking region of EgCAD2. The 5' flanking regions of EgCAD1 and EgCAD2 contain lignin-associated regulatory elements i.e. AC-elements, and other defence-related motifs, including W-box, GT-1 motif and CGTCA-motif. Altogether, these results imply that EgCAD1 and EgCAD2 are bona fide CAD involved in lignin biosynthesis during the normal development of oil palm and in response to stresses. Our findings shed some light on the roles of the bona fide CAD genes in oil palm and pave the way for manipulating lignin content in oil palm through a genetic approach. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-022-03208-0.
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15
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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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16
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Xin A, Herburger K. Precursor biosynthesis regulation of lignin, suberin and cutin. PROTOPLASMA 2021; 258:1171-1178. [PMID: 34120228 DOI: 10.1007/s00709-021-01676-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The extracellular matrix of plants can contain the hydrophobic biopolymers lignin, suberin and/or cutin, which provide mechanical strength and limit water loss and pathogen invasion. Due to their remarkable chemical resistance, these polymers have a high potential in various biotechnological applications and can replace petrol-based resources, for example, in the packing industry. However, despite the importance of these polymers, the regulation of their precursor biosynthesis is far from being fully understood. This is particularly true for suberin and cutin, which hinders efforts to engineer their formation in plants and produce customised biopolymers. This review brings attention to knowledge gaps in the current research and highlights some of the most recent findings on transcription factors that regulate lignin, suberin and cutin precursor biosynthesis. Finally, we also briefly discuss how some of the remaining knowledge gaps can be closed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anzhou Xin
- Section for Plant Glycobiology, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 1871, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Klaus Herburger
- Section for Plant Glycobiology, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 1871, Frederiksberg, Denmark.
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17
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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: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [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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18
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Yamamoto M, Blaschek L, Subbotina E, Kajita S, Pesquet E. Importance of Lignin Coniferaldehyde Residues for Plant Properties and Sustainable Uses. CHEMSUSCHEM 2020; 13:4400-4408. [PMID: 32692480 PMCID: PMC7539997 DOI: 10.1002/cssc.202001242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Revised: 07/15/2020] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Increases in coniferaldehyde content, a minor lignin residue, significantly improves the sustainable use of plant biomass for feed, pulping, and biorefinery without affecting plant growth and yields. Herein, different analytical methods are compared and validated to distinguish coniferaldehyde from other lignin residues. It is shown that specific genetic pathways regulate amount, linkage, and position of coniferaldehyde within the lignin polymer for each cell type. This specific cellular regulation offers new possibilities for designing plant lignin for novel and targeted industrial uses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masanobu Yamamoto
- Graduate School of Bio-Applications and Systems EngineeringTokyo University of Agriculture and TechnologyTokyo184-8588Japan
| | - Leonard Blaschek
- Arrhenius laboratories Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant SciencesStockholm University106 91StockholmSweden
| | - Elena Subbotina
- Arrhenius laboratories, Department of Organic ChemistryStockholm University106 91StockholmSweden
| | - Shinya Kajita
- Graduate School of Bio-Applications and Systems EngineeringTokyo University of Agriculture and TechnologyTokyo184-8588Japan
| | - Edouard Pesquet
- Arrhenius laboratories Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant SciencesStockholm University106 91StockholmSweden
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