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Dwivedi N, Yamamoto S, Zhao Y, Hou G, Bowling F, Tobimatsu Y, Liu C. Simultaneous suppression of lignin, tricin and wall-bound phenolic biosynthesis via the expression of monolignol 4-O-methyltransferases in rice. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2024; 22:330-346. [PMID: 37795899 PMCID: PMC10826995 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.14186] [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: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023]
Abstract
Grass lignocelluloses feature complex compositions and structures. In addition to the presence of conventional lignin units from monolignols, acylated monolignols and flavonoid tricin also incorporate into lignin polymer; moreover, hydroxycinnamates, particularly ferulate, cross-link arabinoxylan chains with each other and/or with lignin polymers. These structural complexities make grass lignocellulosics difficult to optimize for effective agro-industrial applications. In the present study, we assess the applications of two engineered monolignol 4-O-methyltransferases (MOMTs) in modifying rice lignocellulosic properties. Two MOMTs confer regiospecific para-methylation of monolignols but with different catalytic preferences. The expression of MOMTs in rice resulted in differential but drastic suppression of lignin deposition, showing more than 50% decrease in guaiacyl lignin and up to an 90% reduction in syringyl lignin in transgenic lines. Moreover, the levels of arabinoxylan-bound ferulate were reduced by up to 50%, and the levels of tricin in lignin fraction were also substantially reduced. Concomitantly, up to 11 μmol/g of the methanol-extractable 4-O-methylated ferulic acid and 5-7 μmol/g 4-O-methylated sinapic acid were accumulated in MOMT transgenic lines. Both MOMTs in vitro displayed discernible substrate promiscuity towards a range of phenolics in addition to the dominant substrate monolignols, which partially explains their broad effects on grass phenolic biosynthesis. The cell wall structural and compositional changes resulted in up to 30% increase in saccharification yield of the de-starched rice straw biomass after diluted acid-pretreatment. These results demonstrate an effective strategy to tailor complex grass cell walls to generate improved cellulosic feedstocks for the fermentable sugar-based production of biofuel and bio-chemicals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nidhi Dwivedi
- Biology DepartmentBrookhaven Nation LaboratoryUptonNew YorkUSA
- Feedstocks DivisionJoint BioEnergy InstituteEmeryvilleCAUSA
| | - Senri Yamamoto
- Research Institute for Sustainable HumanosphereKyoto UniversityGokasho, UjiKyotoJapan
| | - Yunjun Zhao
- Biology DepartmentBrookhaven Nation LaboratoryUptonNew YorkUSA
| | - Guichuan Hou
- Dewel Microscopy FacilityAppalachian State UniversityBooneNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Forrest Bowling
- Biology DepartmentBrookhaven Nation LaboratoryUptonNew YorkUSA
| | - Yuki Tobimatsu
- Research Institute for Sustainable HumanosphereKyoto UniversityGokasho, UjiKyotoJapan
| | - Chang‐Jun Liu
- Biology DepartmentBrookhaven Nation LaboratoryUptonNew YorkUSA
- Feedstocks DivisionJoint BioEnergy InstituteEmeryvilleCAUSA
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Mishra A, Mishra TK, Nanda S, Mohanty MK, Dash M. A comprehensive review on genetic modification of plant cell wall for improved saccharification efficiency. Mol Biol Rep 2023; 50:10509-10524. [PMID: 37921982 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-023-08886-4] [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: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 11/05/2023]
Abstract
The focus is now on harnessing energy from green sources through sustainable technology to minimize environmental pollution. Several crop residues including rice and wheat straw are having enormous potential to be used as lignocellulosic source material for bioenergy production. The lignocellulosic feedstock is primarily composed of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin cell wall polymers. The hemicellulose and lignin polymers induce crosslinks in the cell wall, by firmly associating with cellulose microfibrils, and thereby, denying considerable access of cellulose to cellulase enzymes. This issue has been addressed by various researchers through downregulating several genes associated in monolignol biosynthesis in Arabidopsis, Poplar, Rice and Switchgrass to increase ethanol recovery. Similarly, xylan biosynthetic genes are also targeted to genetically culminate its accumulation in the secondary cell walls. Regulation of cellulose synthases (CesA) proves to be an effective tool in addressing the negative impact of these two factors. Modification in the expression of cellulose synthase aids in reducing cellulose crystallinity as well as polymerisation degree which in turn increases ethanol recovery. The engineered bioenergy crops and various fungal strains with state of art biomass processing techniques presents the most recent integrative biotechnology model for cost effective green fuels generation along with production of key value-added products with minuscule disturbances in the environment. Plant breeding strategies utilizing the existing variability for biomass traits will be key in developing dual purpose varieties. For this purpose, reorientation of conventional breeding techniques for incorporating useful biomass traits will be effective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abinash Mishra
- College of Agriculture, Odisha University of Agriculture & Technology, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
| | - Tapas Kumar Mishra
- College of Agriculture, Odisha University of Agriculture & Technology, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
| | - Spandan Nanda
- College of Agriculture Engineering and Technology, Odisha University of Agriculture & Technology, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
| | - Mahendra Kumar Mohanty
- College of Agriculture Engineering and Technology, Odisha University of Agriculture & Technology, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
| | - Manasi Dash
- College of Agriculture, Odisha University of Agriculture & Technology, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India.
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Yang W, Yao D, Duan H, Zhang J, Cai Y, Lan C, Zhao B, Mei Y, Zheng Y, Yang E, Lu X, Zhang X, Tang J, Yu K, Zhang X. VAMP726 from maize and Arabidopsis confers pollen resistance to heat and UV radiation by influencing lignin content of sporopollenin. PLANT COMMUNICATIONS 2023; 4:100682. [PMID: 37691288 PMCID: PMC10721520 DOI: 10.1016/j.xplc.2023.100682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
Sporopollenin in the pollen cell wall protects male gametophytes from stresses. Phenylpropanoid derivatives, including guaiacyl (G) lignin units, are known to be structural components of sporopollenin, but the exact composition of sporopollenin remains to be fully resolved. We analyzed the phenylpropanoid derivatives in sporopollenin from maize and Arabidopsis by thioacidolysis coupled with nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The NMR and GC-MS results confirmed the presence of p-hydroxyphenyl (H), G, and syringyl (S) lignin units in sporopollenin from maize and Arabidopsis. Strikingly, H units account for the majority of lignin monomers in sporopollenin from these species. We next performed a genome-wide association study to explore the genetic basis of maize sporopollenin composition and identified a vesicle-associated membrane protein (ZmVAMP726) that is strongly associated with lignin monomer composition of maize sporopollenin. Genetic manipulation of VAMP726 affected not only lignin monomer composition in sporopollenin but also pollen resistance to heat and UV radiation in maize and Arabidopsis, indicating that VAMP726 is functionally conserved in monocot and dicot plants. Our work provides new insight into the lignin monomers that serve as structural components of sporopollenin and characterizes VAMP726, which affects sporopollenin composition and stress resistance in pollen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenqi Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, Henan Joint International Laboratory for Crop Multi-Omics Research, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China
| | - Dongdong Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, Henan Joint International Laboratory for Crop Multi-Omics Research, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China
| | - Haiyang Duan
- National Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science, College of Agronomy, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China
| | - Junli Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, Henan Joint International Laboratory for Crop Multi-Omics Research, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China; National Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science, College of Agronomy, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China
| | - Yaling Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, Henan Joint International Laboratory for Crop Multi-Omics Research, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China
| | - Chen Lan
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, Henan Joint International Laboratory for Crop Multi-Omics Research, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China
| | - Bing Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, Henan Joint International Laboratory for Crop Multi-Omics Research, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China
| | - Yong Mei
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, Henan Joint International Laboratory for Crop Multi-Omics Research, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China
| | - Yan Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, Henan Joint International Laboratory for Crop Multi-Omics Research, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China
| | - Erbing Yang
- College of Chemistry, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Xiaoduo Lu
- National Engineering Laboratory of Crop Stress Resistance, School of Life Science, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Xuehai Zhang
- National Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science, College of Agronomy, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China
| | - Jihua Tang
- National Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science, College of Agronomy, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China; The Shennong Laboratory, Zhengzhou 450002, China
| | - Ke Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, Henan Joint International Laboratory for Crop Multi-Omics Research, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China.
| | - Xuebin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Adaptation and Improvement, Henan Joint International Laboratory for Crop Multi-Omics Research, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China.
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Chen J, Liu M, Meng X, Zhang Y, Wang Y, Jiao N, Chen J. Multiomics studies with co-transformation reveal microRNAs via miRNA-TF-mRNA network participating in wood formation in Hevea brasiliensis. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1068796. [PMID: 37645463 PMCID: PMC10461101 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1068796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
Introduction MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small endogenous non-coding RNAs that play an important role in wood formation in plants. However, the significance of the link between miRNAs and their target transcripts in wood formation remains unclear in rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis). Methods In this study, we induced the formation of reaction wood by artificially bending rubber trees for 300 days and performed small RNA sequencing and transcriptome deep sequencing (RNA-seq) to describe the complement of miRNAs and their targets contributing to this process. Results and discussion We identified 5, 11, and 2 differentially abundant miRNAs in normal wood (NW) compared to tension wood (TW), in NW relative to opposite wood (OW), and between TW and OW, respectively. We also identified 12 novel miRNAs and 39 potential miRNA-mRNA pairs with different accumulation patterns in NW, TW, and OW. We noticed that many miRNAs targeted transcription factor genes, which were enriched in KEGG pathways associated with phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, phenylalanine metabolism, and pyruvate metabolism. Thus, miRNA-TF-mRNA network involved in wood formation via tension wood model were constructed. We validated the differential accumulation of miRNAs and their targets by RT-qPCR analysis and overexpressed miRNA in Nicotiana benthamiana with its potential target gene. These results will provide a reference for a deep exploration of growth and development in rubber tree.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinhui Chen
- Sanya Nanfan Research Institute of Hainan University, Hainan Yazhou Bay Seed Laboratory/Key Laboratory of Genetics and Germplasm Innovation of Tropical Special Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants, Ministry of Education, School of Forestry, Hainan University, Sanya, China
- Engineering Research Center of Rare and Precious Tree Species in Hainan Province, School of Forestry, Hainan University, Haikou, China
| | - Mingming Liu
- Sanya Nanfan Research Institute of Hainan University, Hainan Yazhou Bay Seed Laboratory/Key Laboratory of Genetics and Germplasm Innovation of Tropical Special Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants, Ministry of Education, School of Forestry, Hainan University, Sanya, China
- School of Tropical Crops, Hainan University, Haikou, China
| | - Xiangxu Meng
- Sanya Nanfan Research Institute of Hainan University, Hainan Yazhou Bay Seed Laboratory/Key Laboratory of Genetics and Germplasm Innovation of Tropical Special Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants, Ministry of Education, School of Forestry, Hainan University, Sanya, China
- Engineering Research Center of Rare and Precious Tree Species in Hainan Province, School of Forestry, Hainan University, Haikou, China
| | - Yuanyuan Zhang
- Rubber Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Haikou, Hainan, China
- State Centre for Rubber Breeding, Haikou, Hainan, China
| | - Yue Wang
- Sanya Nanfan Research Institute of Hainan University, Hainan Yazhou Bay Seed Laboratory/Key Laboratory of Genetics and Germplasm Innovation of Tropical Special Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants, Ministry of Education, School of Forestry, Hainan University, Sanya, China
- Engineering Research Center of Rare and Precious Tree Species in Hainan Province, School of Forestry, Hainan University, Haikou, China
| | - Nanbo Jiao
- Sanya Nanfan Research Institute of Hainan University, Hainan Yazhou Bay Seed Laboratory/Key Laboratory of Genetics and Germplasm Innovation of Tropical Special Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants, Ministry of Education, School of Forestry, Hainan University, Sanya, China
- Engineering Research Center of Rare and Precious Tree Species in Hainan Province, School of Forestry, Hainan University, Haikou, China
| | - Jianmiao Chen
- Sanya Nanfan Research Institute of Hainan University, Hainan Yazhou Bay Seed Laboratory/Key Laboratory of Genetics and Germplasm Innovation of Tropical Special Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants, Ministry of Education, School of Forestry, Hainan University, Sanya, China
- School of Tropical Crops, Hainan University, Haikou, China
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Eudes A, Lin CY, De Ben C, Ortega J, Lee MY, Chen YC, Li G, Putnam DH, Mortimer JC, Ronald PC, Scown CD, Scheller HV. Field performance of switchgrass plants engineered for reduced recalcitrance. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1181035. [PMID: 37324714 PMCID: PMC10266223 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1181035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) is a promising perennial bioenergy crop that achieves high yields with relatively low nutrient and energy inputs. Modification of cell wall composition for reduced recalcitrance can lower the costs of deconstructing biomass to fermentable sugars and other intermediates. We have engineered overexpression of OsAT10, encoding a rice BAHD acyltransferase and QsuB, encoding dehydroshikimate dehydratase from Corynebacterium glutamicum, to enhance saccharification efficiency in switchgrass. These engineering strategies demonstrated low lignin content, low ferulic acid esters, and increased saccharification yield during greenhouse studies in switchgrass and other plant species. In this work, transgenic switchgrass plants overexpressing either OsAT10 or QsuB were tested in the field in Davis, California, USA for three growing seasons. No significant differences in the content of lignin and cell wall-bound p-coumaric acid or ferulic acid were detected in transgenic OsAT10 lines compared with the untransformed Alamo control variety. However, the transgenic overexpressing QsuB lines had increased biomass yield and slightly increased biomass saccharification properties compared to the control plants. This work demonstrates good performance of engineered plants in the field, and also shows that the cell wall changes in the greenhouse were not replicated in the field, emphasizing the need to validate engineered plants under relevant field conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aymerick Eudes
- Feedstocks and Life-Cycle, Economics and Agronomy Divisions, Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, CA, United States
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Chien-Yuan Lin
- Feedstocks and Life-Cycle, Economics and Agronomy Divisions, Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, CA, United States
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Christopher De Ben
- Feedstocks and Life-Cycle, Economics and Agronomy Divisions, Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, CA, United States
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of California, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Jasmine Ortega
- Feedstocks and Life-Cycle, Economics and Agronomy Divisions, Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, CA, United States
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Mi Yeon Lee
- Feedstocks and Life-Cycle, Economics and Agronomy Divisions, Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, CA, United States
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Yi-Chun Chen
- Feedstocks and Life-Cycle, Economics and Agronomy Divisions, Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, CA, United States
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Guotian Li
- Feedstocks and Life-Cycle, Economics and Agronomy Divisions, Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, CA, United States
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, United States
- Department of Plant Pathology and the Genome Center, University of California, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Daniel H. Putnam
- Feedstocks and Life-Cycle, Economics and Agronomy Divisions, Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, CA, United States
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of California, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Jenny C. Mortimer
- Feedstocks and Life-Cycle, Economics and Agronomy Divisions, Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, CA, United States
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, United States
- School of Agriculture, Food and Wine & Waite Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Glen Osmond, SA, Australia
| | - Pamela C. Ronald
- Feedstocks and Life-Cycle, Economics and Agronomy Divisions, Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, CA, United States
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, United States
- Department of Plant Pathology and the Genome Center, University of California, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Corinne D. Scown
- Feedstocks and Life-Cycle, Economics and Agronomy Divisions, Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, CA, United States
- Energy Analysis and Environmental Impacts Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, United States
- Energy & Biosciences Institute, University of California, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Henrik V. Scheller
- Feedstocks and Life-Cycle, Economics and Agronomy Divisions, Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, CA, United States
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, United States
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California-Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
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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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7
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Valorization of Hemp-Based Packaging Waste with One-Pot Ionic Liquid Technology. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28031427. [PMID: 36771097 PMCID: PMC9919018 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28031427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Revised: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The range of applications for industrial hemp has consistently increased in various sectors over the years. For example, hemp hurd can be used as a resource to produce biodegradable packaging materials when incorporated into a fungal mycelium composite, a process that has been commercialized. Although these packaging materials can be composted after usage, they may present an opportunity for valorization in a biorefinery setting. Here, we demonstrate the potential of using this type of discarded packaging composite as a feedstock for biofuel production. A one-pot ionic liquid-based biomass deconstruction and conversion process was implemented, and the results from the packaging material were compared with those obtained from untreated hemp hurd. At a 120 °C reaction temperature, 7.5% ionic liquid loading, and 2 h reaction time, the packaging materials showed a higher lignocellulosic sugar yield and sugar concentrations than hemp hurd. Hydrolysates prepared from packaging materials also promoted production of higher titers (1400 mg/L) of the jet-fuel precursor bisabolene when used to cultivate an engineered strain of the yeast Rhodosporidium toruloides. Box-Behnken experiments revealed that pretreatment parameters affected the hemp hurd and packaging materials differently, evidencing different degrees of recalcitrance. This study demonstrated that a hemp hurd-based packaging material can be valorized a second time once it reaches the end of its primary use by supplying it as a feedstock to produce biofuels.
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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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9
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Lin CY, Tian Y, Nelson-Vasilchik K, Hague J, Kakumanu R, Lee MY, Pidatala VR, Trinh J, De Ben CM, Dalton J, Northen TR, Baidoo EEK, Simmons BA, Gladden JM, Scown CD, Putnam DH, Kausch AP, Scheller HV, Eudes A. Engineering sorghum for higher 4-hydroxybenzoic acid content. Metab Eng Commun 2022; 15:e00207. [PMID: 36188638 PMCID: PMC9519784 DOI: 10.1016/j.mec.2022.e00207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2022] [Revised: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Engineering bioenergy crops to accumulate coproducts in planta can increase the value of lignocellulosic biomass and enable a sustainable bioeconomy. In this study, we engineered sorghum with a bacterial gene encoding a chorismate pyruvate-lyase (ubiC) to reroute the plastidial pool of chorismate from the shikimate pathway into the valuable compound 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (4-HBA). A gene encoding a feedback-resistant version of 3-deoxy-d-arabino-heptulonate-7-phosphate synthase (aroG) was also introduced in an attempt to increase the carbon flux through the shikimate pathway. At the full maturity and senesced stage, two independent lines that co-express ubiC and aroG produced 1.5 and 1.7 dw% of 4-HBA in biomass, which represents 36- and 40-fold increases compared to the titer measured in wildtype. The two transgenic lines showed no obvious phenotypes, growth defects, nor alteration of cell wall polysaccharide content when cultivated under controlled conditions. In the field, when harvested before grain maturity, transgenic lines contained 0.8 and 1.2 dw% of 4-HBA, which represent economically relevant titers based on recent technoeconomic analysis. Only a slight reduction (11-15%) in biomass yield was observed in transgenics grown under natural environment. This work provides the first metabolic engineering steps toward 4-HBA overproduction in the bioenergy crop sorghum to improve the economics of biorefineries by accumulating a value-added coproduct that can be recovered from biomass and provide an additional revenue stream.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chien-Yuan Lin
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, CA, 94608, USA.,Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Yang Tian
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, CA, 94608, USA.,Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | | | - Joel Hague
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Rhode Island, Rhode Island, RI, 02892, USA
| | - Ramu Kakumanu
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, CA, 94608, USA.,Biological Systems and Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Mi Yeon Lee
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, CA, 94608, USA.,Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Venkataramana R Pidatala
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, CA, 94608, USA.,Biological Systems and Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Jessica Trinh
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, CA, 94608, USA.,Biological Systems and Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Christopher M De Ben
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Jutta Dalton
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, CA, 94608, USA.,Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Trent R Northen
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, CA, 94608, USA.,Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Edward E K Baidoo
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, CA, 94608, USA.,Biological Systems and Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Blake A Simmons
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, CA, 94608, USA.,Biological Systems and Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - John M Gladden
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, CA, 94608, USA.,Department of Biomaterials and Biomanufacturing, Sandia National Laboratories, Livermore, CA, 94551, USA
| | - Corinne D Scown
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, CA, 94608, USA.,Biological Systems and Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA.,Energy & Biosciences Institute, University of California-Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA.,Energy Analysis and Environmental Impacts Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Daniel H Putnam
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, CA, 94608, USA.,Department of Plant Sciences, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Albert P Kausch
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Rhode Island, Rhode Island, RI, 02892, USA
| | - Henrik V Scheller
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, CA, 94608, USA.,Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA.,Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Aymerick Eudes
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, CA, 94608, USA.,Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
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10
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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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11
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Hoengenaert L, Wouters M, Kim H, De Meester B, Morreel K, Vandersyppe S, Pollier J, Desmet S, Goeminne G, Ralph J, Boerjan W, Vanholme R. Overexpression of the scopoletin biosynthetic pathway enhances lignocellulosic biomass processing. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabo5738. [PMID: 35857515 PMCID: PMC9278857 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abo5738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Lignin is the main factor limiting the enzymatic conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into fermentable sugars. To reduce the recalcitrance engendered by the lignin polymer, the coumarin scopoletin was incorporated into the lignin polymer through the simultaneous expression of FERULOYL-CoA 6'-HYDROXYLASE 1 (F6'H1) and COUMARIN SYNTHASE (COSY) in lignifying cells in Arabidopsis. The transgenic lines overproduced scopoletin and incorporated it into the lignin polymer, without adversely affecting plant growth. About 3.3% of the lignin units in the transgenic lines were derived from scopoletin, thereby exceeding the levels of the traditional p-hydroxyphenyl units. Saccharification efficiency of alkali-pretreated scopoletin-overproducing lines was 40% higher than for wild type.
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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
| | - Marlies Wouters
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Center for Plant Systems Biology, VIB, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Hoon Kim
- Department of Biochemistry and U.S. Department of Energy’s Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Barbara De Meester
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Center for Plant Systems Biology, VIB, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Kris Morreel
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Center for Plant Systems Biology, VIB, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Steven Vandersyppe
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Center for Plant Systems Biology, VIB, Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Metabolomics Core, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jacob Pollier
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Center for Plant Systems Biology, VIB, Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Metabolomics Core, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Sandrien Desmet
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Center for Plant Systems Biology, VIB, Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Metabolomics Core, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Geert Goeminne
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Center for Plant Systems Biology, VIB, Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Metabolomics Core, Ghent, Belgium
| | - John Ralph
- Department of Biochemistry and U.S. Department of Energy’s Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Wout Boerjan
- 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
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12
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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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13
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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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14
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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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15
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Mahon EL, de Vries L, Jang SK, Middar S, Kim H, Unda F, Ralph J, Mansfield SD. Exogenous chalcone synthase expression in developing poplar xylem incorporates naringenin into lignins. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2022; 188:984-996. [PMID: 34718804 PMCID: PMC8825309 DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiab499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Lignin, a polyphenolic polymer, is a major chemical constituent of the cell walls of terrestrial plants. The biosynthesis of lignin is a highly plastic process, as highlighted by an increasing number of noncanonical monomers that have been successfully identified in an array of plants. Here, we engineered hybrid poplar (Populus alba x grandidentata) to express chalcone synthase 3 (MdCHS3) derived from apple (Malus domestica) in lignifying xylem. Transgenic trees displayed an accumulation of the flavonoid naringenin in xylem methanolic extracts not inherently observed in wild-type trees. Nuclear magnetic resonance analysis revealed the presence of naringenin in the extract-free, cellulase-treated xylem lignin of MdCHS3-poplar, indicating the incorporation of this flavonoid-derived compound into poplar secondary cell wall lignins. The transgenic trees also displayed lower total cell wall lignin content and increased cell wall carbohydrate content and performed significantly better in limited saccharification assays than their wild-type counterparts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth L Mahon
- Department of Wood Science, Faculty of Forestry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- US Department of Energy, Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, Wisconsin Energy Institute, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Lisanne de Vries
- Department of Wood Science, Faculty of Forestry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- US Department of Energy, Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, Wisconsin Energy Institute, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Soo-Kyeong Jang
- Department of Wood Science, Faculty of Forestry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Sandeep Middar
- Department of Wood Science, Faculty of Forestry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Hoon Kim
- US Department of Energy, Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, Wisconsin Energy Institute, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Faride Unda
- Department of Wood Science, Faculty of Forestry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- US Department of Energy, Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, Wisconsin Energy Institute, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - John Ralph
- US Department of Energy, Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, Wisconsin Energy Institute, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Shawn D Mansfield
- Department of Wood Science, Faculty of Forestry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- US Department of Energy, Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, Wisconsin Energy Institute, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Author for communication:
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16
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Kamimura N, Watanabe S, Sugimoto K, Senda M, Araki T, Yu HY, Hishiyama S, Kajita S, Senda T, Masai E. Exploration and structure-based engineering of alkenal double bond reductases catalyzing the Cα−Cβ double bond reduction of coniferaldehyde. N Biotechnol 2022; 68:57-67. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nbt.2022.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Revised: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 01/23/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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17
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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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18
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Wang Z, Deuss PJ. Catalytic Hydrogenolysis of Lignin: The Influence of Minor Units and Saccharides. CHEMSUSCHEM 2021; 14:5186-5198. [PMID: 34398518 PMCID: PMC9293178 DOI: 10.1002/cssc.202101527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Revised: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The precise elucidation of native lignin structures plays a vital role for the development of "lignin first" strategies such as reductive catalytic fractionation. The structure of lignin and composition of the starting material has a major impact on the product yield and distribution. Here, the differences in structure of lignin from birch, pine, reed, and walnut shell were investigated by combining detailed analysis of the whole cell wall material, residual enzyme lignin, and milled wood lignin. The results of the 2D heteronuclear single quantum coherence NMR analysis could be correlated to the product from Ru/C-catalyzed hydrogenolysis if monomeric products from ferulate and p-coumaryl and its analogous units were also appropriately considered. Notably, residual polysaccharide constituents seemed to influence the selectivity towards hydroxy-containing monomers. The results reinforced the importance of adequate structural characterization and compositional analysis of the starting materials as well as distinct (dis)advantages of specific types of structural characterization and isolation methods for guiding valorization potential of different biomass feedstocks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiwen Wang
- Department of Chemical Engineering (ENTEG)University of GroningenNijenborgh 49747 AGGroningenThe Netherlands
| | - Peter J. Deuss
- Department of Chemical Engineering (ENTEG)University of GroningenNijenborgh 49747 AGGroningenThe Netherlands
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19
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Wang Y, Meng X, Tian Y, Kim KH, Jia L, Pu Y, Leem G, Kumar D, Eudes A, Ragauskas AJ, Yoo CG. Engineered Sorghum Bagasse Enables a Sustainable Biorefinery with p-Hydroxybenzoic Acid-Based Deep Eutectic Solvent. CHEMSUSCHEM 2021; 14:5235-5244. [PMID: 34533890 DOI: 10.1002/cssc.202101492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Revised: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Integrating multidisciplinary research in plant genetic engineering and renewable deep eutectic solvents (DESs) can facilitate a sustainable and economic biorefinery. Herein, we leveraged a plant genetic engineering approach to specifically incorporate C6 C1 monomers into the lignin structure. By expressing the bacterial ubiC gene in sorghum, p-hydroxybenzoic acid (PB)-rich lignin was incorporated into the plant cell wall while this monomer was completely absent in the lignin of the wild-type (WT) biomass. A DES was synthesized with choline chloride (ChCl) and PB and applied to the pretreatment of the PB-rich mutant biomass for a sustainable biorefinery. The release of fermentable sugars was significantly enhanced (∼190 % increase) compared to untreated biomass by the DES pretreatment. In particular, the glucose released from the pretreated mutant biomass was up to 12 % higher than that from the pretreated WT biomass. Lignin was effectively removed from the biomass with the preservation of more than half of the β-Ο-4 linkages without condensed aromatic structures. Hydrogenolysis of the fractionated lignin was conducted to demonstrate the potential of phenolic compound production. In addition, a simple hydrothermal treatment could selectively extract PB from the same engineered lignin, showing a possible circular biorefinery. These results suggest that the combination of PB-based DES and engineered PB-rich biomass is a promising strategy to achieve a sustainable closed-loop biorefinery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunxuan Wang
- Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Environmental Science and Forestry, State University of New York, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
| | - Xianzhi Meng
- Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, University of Tennessee-Knoxville, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
| | - Yang Tian
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, CA 94608, USA
| | - Kwang Ho Kim
- Clean Energy Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, 02797, South Korea
- Department of Wood Science, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Linjing Jia
- Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Environmental Science and Forestry, State University of New York, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
| | - Yunqiao Pu
- Center of Bioenergy Innovation, Biosciences Division, University of Tennessee-Oak Ridge National Laboratory Joint Institute for Biological Science Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
| | - Gyu Leem
- Department of Chemistry, College of Environmental Science and Forestry, State University of New York, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
- The Michael M. Szwarc Polymer Research Institute, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
| | - Deepak Kumar
- Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Environmental Science and Forestry, State University of New York, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
| | - Aymerick Eudes
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, CA 94608, USA
| | - Arthur J Ragauskas
- Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, University of Tennessee-Knoxville, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
- Center of Bioenergy Innovation, Biosciences Division, University of Tennessee-Oak Ridge National Laboratory Joint Institute for Biological Science Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
- Center of Renewable Carbon, Department of Forestry, Wildlife, and Fisheries, University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
| | - Chang Geun Yoo
- Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Environmental Science and Forestry, State University of New York, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
- The Michael M. Szwarc Polymer Research Institute, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
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20
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Tian Y, Lin CY, Park JH, Wu CY, Kakumanu R, Pidatala VR, Vuu KM, Rodriguez A, Shih PM, Baidoo EEK, Temple S, Simmons BA, Gladden JM, Scheller HV, Eudes A. Overexpression of the rice BAHD acyltransferase AT10 increases xylan-bound p-coumarate and reduces lignin in Sorghum bicolor. BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR BIOFUELS 2021; 14:217. [PMID: 34801067 PMCID: PMC8606057 DOI: 10.1186/s13068-021-02068-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/06/2021] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The development of bioenergy crops with reduced recalcitrance to enzymatic degradation represents an important challenge to enable the sustainable production of advanced biofuels and bioproducts. Biomass recalcitrance is partly attributed to the complex structure of plant cell walls inside which cellulose microfibrils are protected by a network of hemicellulosic xylan chains that crosslink with each other or with lignin via ferulate (FA) bridges. Overexpression of the rice acyltransferase OsAT10 is an effective bioengineering strategy to lower the amount of FA involved in the formation of cell wall crosslinks and thereby reduce cell wall recalcitrance. The annual crop sorghum represents an attractive feedstock for bioenergy purposes considering its high biomass yields and low input requirements. Although we previously validated the OsAT10 engineering approach in the perennial bioenergy crop switchgrass, the effect of OsAT10 expression on biomass composition and digestibility in sorghum remains to be explored. RESULTS We obtained eight independent sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) transgenic lines with a single copy of a construct designed for OsAT10 expression. Consistent with the proposed role of OsAT10 in acylating arabinosyl residues on xylan with p-coumarate (pCA), a higher amount of p-coumaroyl-arabinose was released from the cell walls of these lines upon hydrolysis with trifluoroacetic acid. However, no major changes were observed regarding the total amount of pCA or FA esters released from cell walls upon mild alkaline hydrolysis. Certain diferulate (diFA) isomers identified in alkaline hydrolysates were increased in some transgenic lines. The amount of the main cell wall monosaccharides glucose, xylose, and arabinose was unaffected. The transgenic lines showed reduced lignin content and their biomass released higher yields of sugars after ionic liquid pretreatment followed by enzymatic saccharification. CONCLUSIONS Expression of OsAT10 in sorghum leads to an increase of xylan-bound pCA without reducing the overall content of cell wall FA esters. Nevertheless, the amount of total cell wall pCA remains unchanged indicating that most pCA is ester-linked to lignin. Unlike other engineered plants overexpressing OsAT10 or a phylogenetically related acyltransferase with similar putative function, the improvements of biomass saccharification efficiency in sorghum OsAT10 lines are likely the result of lignin reductions rather than reductions of cell wall-bound FA. These results also suggest a relationship between xylan-bound pCA and lignification in cell walls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Tian
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, CA 94608 USA
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
| | - Chien-Yuan Lin
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, CA 94608 USA
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
| | | | - Chuan-Yin Wu
- Forage Genetics International, West Salem, WI 54669 USA
| | - Ramu Kakumanu
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, CA 94608 USA
- Biological Systems and Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
| | - Venkataramana R. Pidatala
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, CA 94608 USA
- Biological Systems and Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
| | - Khanh M. Vuu
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, CA 94608 USA
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
| | - Alberto Rodriguez
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, CA 94608 USA
- Department of Biomaterials and Biomanufacturing, Sandia National Laboratories, Livermore, CA 94551 USA
| | - Patrick M. Shih
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, CA 94608 USA
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California-Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
| | - Edward E. K. Baidoo
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, CA 94608 USA
- Biological Systems and Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
| | | | - Blake A. Simmons
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, CA 94608 USA
- Biological Systems and Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
| | - John M. Gladden
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, CA 94608 USA
- Department of Biomaterials and Biomanufacturing, Sandia National Laboratories, Livermore, CA 94551 USA
| | - Henrik V. Scheller
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, CA 94608 USA
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California-Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
| | - Aymerick Eudes
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, CA 94608 USA
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
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21
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Scavuzzo-Duggan T, Varoquaux N, Madera M, Vogel JP, Dahlberg J, Hutmacher R, Belcher M, Ortega J, Coleman-Derr D, Lemaux P, Purdom E, Scheller HV. Cell Wall Compositions of Sorghum bicolor Leaves and Roots Remain Relatively Constant Under Drought Conditions. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 12:747225. [PMID: 34868130 PMCID: PMC8632824 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.747225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Renewable fuels are needed to replace fossil fuels in the immediate future. Lignocellulosic bioenergy crops provide a renewable alternative that sequesters atmospheric carbon. To prevent displacement of food crops, it would be advantageous to grow biofuel crops on marginal lands. These lands will likely face more frequent and extreme drought conditions than conventional agricultural land, so it is crucial to see how proposed bioenergy crops fare under these conditions and how that may affect lignocellulosic biomass composition and saccharification properties. We found that while drought impacts the plant cell wall of Sorghum bicolor differently according to tissue and timing of drought induction, drought-induced cell wall compositional modifications are relatively minor and produce no negative effect on biomass conversion. This contrasts with the cell wall-related transcriptome, which had a varied range of highly variable genes (HVGs) within four cell wall-related GO categories, depending on the tissues surveyed and time of drought induction. Further, many HVGs had expression changes in which putative impacts were not seen in the physical cell wall or which were in opposition to their putative impacts. Interestingly, most pre-flowering drought-induced cell wall changes occurred in the leaf, with matrix and lignin compositional changes that did not persist after recovery from drought. Most measurable physical post-flowering cell wall changes occurred in the root, affecting mainly polysaccharide composition and cross-linking. This study couples transcriptomics to cell wall chemical analyses of a C4 grass experiencing progressive and differing drought stresses in the field. As such, we can analyze the cell wall-specific response to agriculturally relevant drought stresses on the transcriptomic level and see whether those changes translate to compositional or biomass conversion differences. Our results bolster the conclusion that drought stress does not substantially affect the cell wall composition of specific aerial and subterranean biomass nor impede enzymatic hydrolysis of leaf biomass, a positive result for biorefinery processes. Coupled with previously reported results on the root microbiome and rhizosphere and whole transcriptome analyses of this study, we can formulate and test hypotheses on individual gene candidates' function in mediating drought stress in the grass cell wall, as demonstrated in sorghum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tess Scavuzzo-Duggan
- Department of Plant & Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, CA, United States
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Nelle Varoquaux
- Department of Statistics, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
- Berkeley Institute for Data Science, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Mary Madera
- Department of Plant & Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - John P. Vogel
- Department of Plant & Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
- DOE Joint Genome Institute, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Jeffery Dahlberg
- Kearney Agricultural Research and Extension Center, University of California, Parlier, Parlier, CA, United States
| | - Robert Hutmacher
- West Side Research and Extension Center, University of California, Five Points, Five Points, CA, United States
| | - Michael Belcher
- Department of Plant & Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, CA, United States
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Jasmine Ortega
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, CA, United States
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Devin Coleman-Derr
- Department of Plant & Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
- Plant Gene Expression Center, United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service, Albany, CA, United States
| | - Peggy Lemaux
- Department of Plant & Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Elizabeth Purdom
- Department of Statistics, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Henrik V. Scheller
- Department of Plant & Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, CA, United States
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, United States
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22
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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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23
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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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24
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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: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [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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25
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Review of advances in the development of laccases for the valorization of lignin to enable the production of lignocellulosic biofuels and bioproducts. Biotechnol Adv 2021; 54:107809. [PMID: 34333091 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2021.107809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Revised: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Development and deployment of commercial biorefineries based on conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into biofuels and bioproducts faces many challenges that must be addressed before they are commercially viable. One of the biggest challenges faced is the efficient and scalable valorization of lignin, one of the three major components of the plant cell wall. Lignin is the most abundant aromatic biopolymer on earth, and its presence hinders the extraction of cellulose and hemicellulose that is essential to biochemical conversion of lignocellulose to fuels and chemicals. There has been a significant amount of work over the past 20 years that has sought to develop innovative processes designed to extract and recycle lignin into valuable compounds and help reduce the overall costs of the biorefinery process. Due to the complex matrix of lignin, which is essential for plant survival, the development of a reliable and efficient lignin conversion technology has been difficult to achieve. One approach that has received significant interest relies on the use of enzymes, notably laccases, a class of multi‑copper green oxidative enzymes that catalyze bond breaking in lignin to produce smaller oligomers. In this review, we first assess the different innovations of lignin valorization using laccases within the context of a biorefinery process, and then assess the latest economical advances that these innovations offered. Finally, we review laccase characterization and optimization, as well as the prospects and bottlenecks of this class of enzymes within the industrial and biorefining sectors.
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26
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Keplinger T, Wittel FK, Rüggeberg M, Burgert I. Wood Derived Cellulose Scaffolds-Processing and Mechanics. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2021; 33:e2001375. [PMID: 32797688 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202001375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2020] [Revised: 04/19/2020] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Wood-derived cellulose materials obtained by structure-retaining delignification are attracting increasing attention due to their excellent mechanical properties and great potential to serve as renewable and CO2 storing cellulose scaffolds for advanced hybrid materials with embedded functionality. Various delignification protocols and a multitude of further processing steps including polymer impregnation and densification are applied resulting in a large range of properties. However, treatment optimization requires a more comprehensive characterization of the developed materials in terms of structure, chemical composition, and mechanical properties for faster progress in the field. Herein, the current protocols for structure-retaining delignification are reviewed and the emphasis is placed on the mechanical characterization at different hierarchical levels of the cellulose scaffolds by experiments and modeling to reveal the underlying structure-property relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Keplinger
- ETH Zürich, Institute for Building Materials, Stefano-Franscini-Platz 3, Zurich, 8093, Switzerland
- Empa-Swiss Federal Laboratories for Material Testing and Research, Cellulose & Wood Materials Laboratory, Dübendorf, 8600, Switzerland
| | - Falk K Wittel
- ETH Zürich, Institute for Building Materials, Stefano-Franscini-Platz 3, Zurich, 8093, Switzerland
| | - Markus Rüggeberg
- ETH Zürich, Institute for Building Materials, Stefano-Franscini-Platz 3, Zurich, 8093, Switzerland
- Empa-Swiss Federal Laboratories for Material Testing and Research, Cellulose & Wood Materials Laboratory, Dübendorf, 8600, Switzerland
| | - Ingo Burgert
- ETH Zürich, Institute for Building Materials, Stefano-Franscini-Platz 3, Zurich, 8093, Switzerland
- Empa-Swiss Federal Laboratories for Material Testing and Research, Cellulose & Wood Materials Laboratory, Dübendorf, 8600, Switzerland
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27
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Lin CY, Donohoe BS, Bomble YJ, Yang H, Yunes M, Sarai NS, Shollenberger T, Decker SR, Chen X, McCann MC, Tucker MP, Wei H, Himmel ME. Iron incorporation both intra- and extra-cellularly improves the yield and saccharification of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) biomass. BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR BIOFUELS 2021; 14:55. [PMID: 33663584 PMCID: PMC7931346 DOI: 10.1186/s13068-021-01891-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2020] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pretreatments are commonly used to facilitate the deconstruction of lignocellulosic biomass to its component sugars and aromatics. Previously, we showed that iron ions can be used as co-catalysts to reduce the severity of dilute acid pretreatment of biomass. Transgenic iron-accumulating Arabidopsis and rice plants exhibited higher iron content in grains, increased biomass yield, and importantly, enhanced sugar release from the biomass. RESULTS In this study, we used intracellular ferritin (FerIN) alone and in combination with an improved version of cell wall-bound carbohydrate-binding module fused iron-binding peptide (IBPex) specifically targeting switchgrass, a bioenergy crop species. The FerIN switchgrass improved by 15% in height and 65% in yield, whereas the FerIN/IBPex transgenics showed enhancement up to 30% in height and 115% in yield. The FerIN and FerIN/IBPex switchgrass had 27% and 51% higher in planta iron accumulation than the empty vector (EV) control, respectively, under normal growth conditions. Improved pretreatability was observed in FerIN switchgrass (~ 14% more glucose release than the EV), and the FerIN/IBPex plants showed further enhancement in glucose release up to 24%. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that this iron-accumulating strategy can be transferred from model plants and applied to bioenergy crops, such as switchgrass. The intra- and extra-cellular iron incorporation approach improves biomass pretreatability and digestibility, providing upgraded feedstocks for the production of biofuels and bioproducts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chien-Yuan Lin
- Biosciences Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO 80401 USA
- Present Address: Joint BioEnergy Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Emeryville, CA 94608 USA
- Present Address: Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
| | - Bryon S. Donohoe
- Biosciences Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO 80401 USA
| | - Yannick J. Bomble
- Biosciences Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO 80401 USA
| | - Haibing Yang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907 USA
- Present Address: South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510650 China
| | - Manal Yunes
- Biosciences Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO 80401 USA
- Present Address: Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309 USA
| | - Nicholas S. Sarai
- Biosciences Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO 80401 USA
- Present Address: Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering 210-41, California Institute of Technology, 1200 East California Boulevard, Pasadena, CA 91125 USA
| | - Todd Shollenberger
- Biosciences Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO 80401 USA
| | - Stephen R. Decker
- Biosciences Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO 80401 USA
| | - Xiaowen Chen
- National Bioenergy Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO 80401 USA
| | - Maureen C. McCann
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907 USA
| | - Melvin P. Tucker
- National Bioenergy Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO 80401 USA
| | - Hui Wei
- Biosciences Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO 80401 USA
| | - Michael E. Himmel
- Biosciences Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO 80401 USA
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Verhertbruggen Y, Bouder A, Vigouroux J, Alvarado C, Geairon A, Guillon F, Wilkinson MD, Stritt F, Pauly M, Lee MY, Mortimer JC, Scheller HV, Mitchell RAC, Voiniciuc C, Saulnier L, Chateigner-Boutin AL. The TaCslA12 gene expressed in the wheat grain endosperm synthesizes wheat-like mannan when expressed in yeast and Arabidopsis. PLANT SCIENCE : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL PLANT BIOLOGY 2021; 302:110693. [PMID: 33288007 DOI: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2020.110693] [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: 07/24/2020] [Revised: 09/24/2020] [Accepted: 09/26/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Mannan is a class of cell wall polysaccharides widespread in the plant kingdom. Mannan structure and properties vary according to species and organ. The cell walls of cereal grains have been extensively studied due to their role in cereal processing and to their beneficial effect on human health as dietary fiber. Recently, we showed that mannan in wheat (Triticum aestivum) grain endosperm has a linear structure of β-1,4-linked mannose residues. The aim of this work was to study the biosynthesis and function of wheat grain mannan. We showed that mannan is deposited in the endosperm early during grain development, and we identified candidate mannan biosynthetic genes expressed in the endosperm. The functional study in wheat was unsuccessful therefore our best candidate genes were expressed in heterologous systems. The endosperm-specificTaCslA12 gene expressed in Pichia pastoris and in an Arabidopsis thaliana mutant depleted in glucomannan led to the production of wheat-like linear mannan lacking glucose residues and with moderate acetylation. Therefore, this gene encodes a mannan synthase and is likely responsible for the synthesis of wheat endosperm mannan.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Mark D Wilkinson
- Rothamsted Research, West Common, Harpenden, Hertfordshire AL5 2JK, UK
| | - Fabian Stritt
- Institute for Plant Cell Biology and Biotechnology, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Markus Pauly
- Institute for Plant Cell Biology and Biotechnology, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Mi Yeon Lee
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Jenny C Mortimer
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Henrik V Scheller
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | | | - Cătălin Voiniciuc
- Institute for Plant Cell Biology and Biotechnology, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany; Independent Junior Research Group-Designer Glycans, Leibniz Institute of Plant Biochemistry, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany
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29
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Thornburg NE, Pecha MB, Brandner DG, Reed ML, Vermaas JV, Michener WE, Katahira R, Vinzant TB, Foust TD, Donohoe BS, Román-Leshkov Y, Ciesielski PN, Beckham GT. Mesoscale Reaction-Diffusion Phenomena Governing Lignin-First Biomass Fractionation. CHEMSUSCHEM 2020; 13:4495-4509. [PMID: 32246557 DOI: 10.1002/cssc.202000558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2020] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Lignin solvolysis from the plant cell wall is the critical first step in lignin depolymerization processes involving whole biomass feedstocks. However, little is known about the coupled reaction kinetics and transport phenomena that govern the effective rates of lignin extraction. Here, we report a validated simulation framework that determines intrinsic, transport-independent kinetic parameters for the solvolysis of lignin, hemicellulose, and cellulose upon incorporation of feedstock characteristics for the methanol-based extraction of poplar as an example fractionation process. Lignin fragment diffusion is predicted to compete on the same time and length scales as reactions of lignin within cell walls and longitudinal pores of typical milled particle sizes, and mass transfer resistances are predicted to dominate the solvolysis of poplar particles that exceed approximately 2 mm in length. Beyond the approximately 2 mm threshold, effectiveness factors are predicted to be below 0.25, which implies that pore diffusion resistances may attenuate observable kinetic rate measurements by at least 75 % in such cases. Thus, researchers are recommended to conduct kinetic evaluations of lignin-first catalysts using biomass particles smaller than approximately 0.2 mm in length to avoid feedstock-specific mass transfer limitations in lignin conversion studies. Overall, this work highlights opportunities to improve lignin solvolysis by genetic engineering and provides actionable kinetic information to guide the design and scale-up of emerging biorefinery strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas E Thornburg
- National Bioenergy Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, 15013 Denver West Parkway, Golden, CO, 80401, USA
| | - M Brennan Pecha
- Biosciences Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, 15013 Denver West Parkway, Golden, CO, 80401, USA
| | - David G Brandner
- National Bioenergy Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, 15013 Denver West Parkway, Golden, CO, 80401, USA
| | - Michelle L Reed
- Biosciences Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, 15013 Denver West Parkway, Golden, CO, 80401, USA
| | - Josh V Vermaas
- Biosciences Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, 15013 Denver West Parkway, Golden, CO, 80401, USA
| | - William E Michener
- Biosciences Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, 15013 Denver West Parkway, Golden, CO, 80401, USA
| | - Rui Katahira
- National Bioenergy Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, 15013 Denver West Parkway, Golden, CO, 80401, USA
| | - Todd B Vinzant
- Biosciences Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, 15013 Denver West Parkway, Golden, CO, 80401, USA
| | - Thomas D Foust
- National Bioenergy Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, 15013 Denver West Parkway, Golden, CO, 80401, USA
| | - Bryon S Donohoe
- Biosciences Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, 15013 Denver West Parkway, Golden, CO, 80401, USA
| | - Yuriy Román-Leshkov
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Peter N Ciesielski
- Biosciences Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, 15013 Denver West Parkway, Golden, CO, 80401, USA
| | - Gregg T Beckham
- National Bioenergy Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, 15013 Denver West Parkway, Golden, CO, 80401, USA
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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: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [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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31
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Kitaoka N, Nomura T, Ogita S, Kato Y. Bioproduction of glucose conjugates of 4-hydroxybenzoic and vanillic acids using bamboo cells transformed to express bacterial 4-hydroxycinnamoyl-CoA hydratase/lyase. J Biosci Bioeng 2020; 130:89-97. [PMID: 32192841 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiosc.2020.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2019] [Revised: 12/08/2019] [Accepted: 02/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Rational metabolic-flow switching, which we proposed recently, is an effective strategy to produce an exogenous high-value natural product using transformed plant cells; the proof of this concept was demonstrated using bamboo (Phyllostachys nigra; Pn) cells as a model system. Pn cells were transformed to express 4-hydroxycinnamoyl-CoA hydratase/lyase of Pseudomonas putida KT2440 (PpHCHL), which catalyzes the formation of 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde and vanillin from p-coumaroyl-CoA and feruloyl-CoA, respectively. The PpHCHL-transformed cells accumulated glucose conjugates of 4-hydroxybenzoic acid and vanillic acid, indicating that the PpHCHL products (aldehydes) were further metabolized by inherent enzymes in the Pn cells. The production titers of 4-hydroxybenzoic acid glucose ester, vanillic acid glucose ester, and 4-hydroxybenzoic acid glucoside reached 1.7, 0.17, and 0.14 g/L at the maximum, respectively. These results proved the versatility of Pn cells for producing vanillin-related compounds based on rational metabolic-flow switching.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naoki Kitaoka
- Biotechnology Research Center and Department of Biotechnology, Toyama Prefectural University, Imizu, Toyama 939-0398, Japan.
| | - Taiji Nomura
- Biotechnology Research Center and Department of Biotechnology, Toyama Prefectural University, Imizu, Toyama 939-0398, Japan
| | - Shinjiro Ogita
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, Prefectural University of Hiroshima, Shobara, Hiroshima 727-0023, Japan
| | - Yasuo Kato
- Biotechnology Research Center and Department of Biotechnology, Toyama Prefectural University, Imizu, Toyama 939-0398, Japan
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32
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Mnich E, Bjarnholt N, Eudes A, Harholt J, Holland C, Jørgensen B, Larsen FH, Liu M, Manat R, Meyer AS, Mikkelsen JD, Motawia MS, Muschiol J, Møller BL, Møller SR, Perzon A, Petersen BL, Ravn JL, Ulvskov P. Phenolic cross-links: building and de-constructing the plant cell wall. Nat Prod Rep 2020; 37:919-961. [PMID: 31971193 DOI: 10.1039/c9np00028c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Covering: Up to 2019Phenolic cross-links and phenolic inter-unit linkages result from the oxidative coupling of two hydroxycinnamates or two molecules of tyrosine. Free dimers of hydroxycinnamates, lignans, play important roles in plant defence. Cross-linking of bound phenolics in the plant cell wall affects cell expansion, wall strength, digestibility, degradability, and pathogen resistance. Cross-links mediated by phenolic substituents are particularly important as they confer strength to the wall via the formation of new covalent bonds, and by excluding water from it. Four biopolymer classes are known to be involved in the formation of phenolic cross-links: lignins, extensins, glucuronoarabinoxylans, and side-chains of rhamnogalacturonan-I. Lignins and extensins are ubiquitous in streptophytes whereas aromatic substituents on xylan and pectic side-chains are commonly assumed to be particular features of Poales sensu lato and core Caryophyllales, respectively. Cross-linking of phenolic moieties proceeds via radical formation, is catalyzed by peroxidases and laccases, and involves monolignols, tyrosine in extensins, and ferulate esters on xylan and pectin. Ferulate substituents, on xylan in particular, are thought to be nucleation points for lignin polymerization and are, therefore, of paramount importance to wall architecture in grasses and for the development of technology for wall disassembly, e.g. for the use of grass biomass for production of 2nd generation biofuels. This review summarizes current knowledge on the intra- and extracellular acylation of polysaccharides, and inter- and intra-molecular cross-linking of different constituents. Enzyme mediated lignan in vitro synthesis for pharmaceutical uses are covered as are industrial exploitation of mutant and transgenic approaches to control cell wall cross-linking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ewelina Mnich
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
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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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Lin CY, Eudes A. Strategies for the production of biochemicals in bioenergy crops. BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR BIOFUELS 2020; 13:71. [PMID: 32318116 PMCID: PMC7158082 DOI: 10.1186/s13068-020-01707-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2019] [Accepted: 04/02/2020] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Industrial crops are grown to produce goods for manufacturing. Rather than food and feed, they supply raw materials for making biofuels, pharmaceuticals, and specialty chemicals, as well as feedstocks for fabricating fiber, biopolymer, and construction materials. Therefore, such crops offer the potential to reduce our dependency on petrochemicals that currently serve as building blocks for manufacturing the majority of our industrial and consumer products. In this review, we are providing examples of metabolites synthesized in plants that can be used as bio-based platform chemicals for partial replacement of their petroleum-derived counterparts. Plant metabolic engineering approaches aiming at increasing the content of these metabolites in biomass are presented. In particular, we emphasize on recent advances in the manipulation of the shikimate and isoprenoid biosynthetic pathways, both of which being the source of multiple valuable compounds. Implementing and optimizing engineered metabolic pathways for accumulation of coproducts in bioenergy crops may represent a valuable option for enhancing the commercial value of biomass and attaining sustainable lignocellulosic biorefineries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chien-Yuan Lin
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, CA 94608 USA
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
| | - Aymerick Eudes
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, CA 94608 USA
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
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Mohapatra S, Mishra SS, Bhalla P, Thatoi H. Engineering grass biomass for sustainable and enhanced bioethanol production. PLANTA 2019; 250:395-412. [PMID: 31236698 DOI: 10.1007/s00425-019-03218-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2019] [Accepted: 06/18/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Bioethanol from lignocellulosic biomass is a promising step for the future energy requirements. Grass is a potential lignocellulosic biomass which can be utilised for biorefinery-based bioethanol production. Grass biomass is a suitable feedstock for bioethanol production due to its all the year around production, requirement of less fertile land and noninterference with food system. However, the processes involved, i.e. pretreatment, enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation for bioethanol production from grass biomass, are both time consuming and costly. Developing the grass biomass in planta for enhanced bioethanol production is a promising step for maximum utilisation of this valuable feedstock and, thus, is the focus of the present review. Modern breeding techniques and transgenic processes are attractive methods which can be utilised for development of the feedstock. However, the outcomes are not always predictable and the time period required for obtaining a robust variety is generation dependent. Sophisticated genome editing technologies such as synthetic genetic circuits (SGC) or clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) systems are advantageous for induction of desired traits/heritable mutations in a foreseeable genome location in the 1st mutant generation. Although, its application in grass biomass for bioethanol is limited, these sophisticated techniques are anticipated to exhibit more flexibility in engineering the expression pattern for qualitative and qualitative traits. Nevertheless, the fundamentals rendered by the genetics of the transgenic crops will remain the basis of such developments for obtaining biorefinery-based bioethanol concepts from grass biomass. Grasses which are abundant and widespread in nature epitomise attractive lignocellulosic feedstocks for bioethanol production. The complexity offered by the grass cell wall in terms of lignin recalcitrance and its binding to polysaccharides forms a barricade for its commercialization as a biofuel feedstock. Inspired by the possibilities for rewiring the genetic makeup of grass biomass for reduced lignin and lignin-polysaccharide linkages along with increase in carbohydrates, innovative approaches for in planta modifications are forging ahead. In this review, we highlight the progress made in the field of transgenic grasses for bioethanol production and focus our understanding on improvements of simple breeding techniques and post-harvest techniques for development in shortening of lignin-carbohydrate and carbohydrate-carbohydrate linkages. Further, we discuss about the designer lignins which are aimed for qualitable lignins and also emphasise on remodelling of polysaccharides and mixed-linkage glucans for enhancing carbohydrate content and in planta saccharification efficiency. As a final point, we discuss the role of synthetic genetic circuits and CRISPR systems in targeted improvement of cell wall components without compromising the plant growth and health. It is anticipated that this review can provide a rational approach towards a better understanding of application of in planta genetic engineering aspects for designing synthetic genetic circuits which can promote grass feedstocks for biorefinery-based bioethanol concepts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonali Mohapatra
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Engineering and Technology, Biju Patnaik University of Technology, Bhubaneswar, 751003, India.
| | - Suruchee Samparana Mishra
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Engineering and Technology, Biju Patnaik University of Technology, Bhubaneswar, 751003, India
| | - Prerna Bhalla
- Bhupat and Jyoti Mehta School of Biosciences Building, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai, India
| | - Hrudayanath Thatoi
- Department of Biotechnology, North Orissa University, Sriram Chandra Vihar, Takatpur, Baripada, 757003, Odisha, India
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Rodriguez A, Ersig N, Geiselman GM, Seibel K, Simmons BA, Magnuson JK, Eudes A, Gladden JM. Conversion of depolymerized sugars and aromatics from engineered feedstocks by two oleaginous red yeasts. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2019; 286:121365. [PMID: 31030073 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2019.121365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2019] [Revised: 04/17/2019] [Accepted: 04/18/2019] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
One of the requirements for efficient biological conversion of lignocellulose to bioproducts is the compatibility of biological catalysts with the processes employed to solubilize and depolymerize the lignocellulosic components. The red yeasts Rhodosporidium toruloides and Rhodotorula mucilaginosa were evaluated for their ability to assimilate sugars and aromatic compounds extracted from two engineered lines of Arabidopsis thaliana with modified lignin or the wild-type using ionic liquid, acid or alkaline pretreatments. Differential amounts of monomeric sugars, organic acids and, in the case of the engineered lines, either 4-hydroxybenzoic or protocatechuic acid were additionally released from the biomass and found to be tolerated and consumed by both microorganisms. Genetically-engineered strains of the two red yeasts successfully converted the depolymerized products into the biofuel precursor bisabolene when cultivated on hydrolysates or synthetic media containing specific sugars, acids and aromatics found in the hydrolysates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Rodriguez
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, 5885 Hollis St, Emeryville, CA 94608, USA; Sandia National Laboratories, 7011 East Ave, Livermore, CA 94551, USA
| | - Nadine Ersig
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, 5885 Hollis St, Emeryville, CA 94608, USA; Mannheim University of Applied Sciences, Paul-Wittsack-Straße 10, Mannheim 68163, Germany
| | - Gina M Geiselman
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, 5885 Hollis St, Emeryville, CA 94608, USA; Sandia National Laboratories, 7011 East Ave, Livermore, CA 94551, USA
| | - Katharina Seibel
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, 5885 Hollis St, Emeryville, CA 94608, USA; Mannheim University of Applied Sciences, Paul-Wittsack-Straße 10, Mannheim 68163, Germany
| | - Blake A Simmons
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, 5885 Hollis St, Emeryville, CA 94608, USA; Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron Rd, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Jon K Magnuson
- Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, 902 Battelle Blvd, Richland, WA 99354, USA
| | - Aymerick Eudes
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, 5885 Hollis St, Emeryville, CA 94608, USA; Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron Rd, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - John M Gladden
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, 5885 Hollis St, Emeryville, CA 94608, USA; Sandia National Laboratories, 7011 East Ave, Livermore, CA 94551, USA.
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37
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Lee JG, Yoon HY, Cha JY, Kim WY, Kim PJ, Jeon JR. Artificial humification of lignin architecture: Top-down and bottom-up approaches. Biotechnol Adv 2019; 37:107416. [PMID: 31323257 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2019.107416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2018] [Revised: 05/10/2019] [Accepted: 07/14/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Humic substances readily identifiable in the environment are involved in several biotic and abiotic reactions affecting carbon turnover, soil fertility, plant nutrition and stimulation, xenobiotic transformation and microbial respiration. Inspired by natural roles of humic substances, several applications of these substances, including crop stimulants, redox mediators, anti-oxidants, human medicines, environmental remediation and fish feeding, have been developed. The annual market for humic substances has grown rapidly for these reasons and due to eco-conscious features, but there is a limited supply of natural coal-related resources such as lignite and leonardite from which humic substances are extracted in bulk. The structural similarity between humic substances and lignin suggests that lignocellulosic refinery resulting in lignin residues as a by-product could be a potential candidate for a bulk source of humic-like substances, but structural differences between the two polymeric materials indicate that additional transformation procedures allowing lignin architecture to fully mimic commercial humic substances are required. In this review, we introduce the emerging concept of artificial humification of lignin-related materials as a promising strategy for lignin valorization. First, the core structural features of humic substances and the relationship between these features and the physicochemical properties, natural functions and versatile applications of the substances are described. In particular, the mechanism by which humic substances stimulate the growth of plants and hence can improve crop productivity is highlighted. Second, top-down and bottom-up transformation pathways for scalable humification of small lignin-derived phenols, technical lignins and lignin-containing plant residues are described in detail. Finally, future directions are suggested for research and development of artificial lignin humification to achieve alternative ways of producing customized analogues of humic substances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeong Gu Lee
- Division of Applied Life Science (BK21Plus), Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Republic of Korea
| | - Ho Young Yoon
- Department of Agricultural Chemistry and Food Science & Technology, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Republic of Korea
| | - Joon-Yung Cha
- Division of Applied Life Science (BK21Plus), Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Republic of Korea
| | - Woe-Yeon Kim
- Division of Applied Life Science (BK21Plus), Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Republic of Korea; Department of Agricultural Chemistry and Food Science & Technology, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Republic of Korea; PMBBRC, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Republic of Korea; RILS, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Republic of Korea
| | - Pil Joo Kim
- Division of Applied Life Science (BK21Plus), Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Republic of Korea; Department of Agricultural Chemistry and Food Science & Technology, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Republic of Korea; IALS, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong-Rok Jeon
- Department of Agricultural Chemistry and Food Science & Technology, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Republic of Korea; IALS, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Republic of Korea.
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38
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Pazhany AS, Henry RJ. Genetic Modification of Biomass to Alter Lignin Content and Structure. Ind Eng Chem Res 2019. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.iecr.9b01163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Adhini S. Pazhany
- Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, 4072 Queensland, Australia
- ICAR - Sugarcane Breeding Institute, Coimbatore, 641 007 Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Robert J. Henry
- Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, 4072 Queensland, Australia
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39
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Dong J, Chen Y, Benites VT, Baidoo EEK, Petzold CJ, Beller HR, Eudes A, Scheller HV, Adams PD, Mukhopadhyay A, Simmons BA, Singer SW. Methyl ketone production by Pseudomonas putida is enhanced by plant-derived amino acids. Biotechnol Bioeng 2019; 116:1909-1922. [PMID: 30982958 DOI: 10.1002/bit.26995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2018] [Revised: 03/13/2019] [Accepted: 04/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Plants are an attractive sourceof renewable carbon for conversion to biofuels and bio-based chemicals. Conversion strategies often use a fraction of the biomass, focusing on sugars from cellulose and hemicellulose. Strategies that use plant components, such as aromatics and amino acids, may improve the efficiency of biomass conversion. Pseudomonas putida is a promising host for its ability to metabolize a wide variety of organic compounds. P. putida was engineered to produce methyl ketones, which are promising diesel blendstocks and potential platform chemicals, from glucose and lignin-related aromatics. Unexpectedly, P. putida methyl ketone production using Arabidopsis thaliana hydrolysates was enhanced 2-5-fold compared with sugar controls derived from engineered plants that overproduce lignin-related aromatics. This enhancement was more pronounced (~seven-fold increase) with hydrolysates from nonengineered switchgrass. Proteomic analysis of the methyl ketone-producing P. putida suggested that plant-derived amino acids may be the source of this enhancement. Mass spectrometry-based measurements of plant-derived amino acids demonstrated a high correlation between methyl ketone production and amino acid concentration in plant hydrolysates. Amendment of glucose-containing minimal media with a defined mixture of amino acids similar to those found in the hydrolysates studied led to a nine-fold increase in methyl ketone titer (1.1 g/L).
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Dong
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, California.,Biological Systems and Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California
| | - Yan Chen
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, California.,Biological Systems and Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California
| | - Veronica Teixeira Benites
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, California.,Biological Systems and Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California
| | - Edward E K Baidoo
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, California.,Biological Systems and Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California
| | - Christopher J Petzold
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, California.,Biological Systems and Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California
| | - Harry R Beller
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, California.,Earth and Environmental Sciences, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California
| | - Aymerick Eudes
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, California.,Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California
| | - Henrik V Scheller
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, California.,Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California
| | - Paul D Adams
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, California.,Molecular Biophysics and Integrated Bioimaging Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California
| | - Aindrila Mukhopadhyay
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, California.,Biological Systems and Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California.,Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California
| | - Blake A Simmons
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, California.,Biological Systems and Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California
| | - Steven W Singer
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, California.,Biological Systems and Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California
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40
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Advances in microbial lignin degradation and its applications. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2019; 56:179-186. [DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2018.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2018] [Revised: 11/14/2018] [Accepted: 11/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
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41
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Vanholme R, De Meester B, Ralph J, Boerjan W. Lignin biosynthesis and its integration into metabolism. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2019; 56:230-239. [PMID: 30913460 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2019.02.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 322] [Impact Index Per Article: 64.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2018] [Revised: 02/05/2019] [Accepted: 02/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Lignin is a principal structural component of cell walls in higher terrestrial plants. It reinforces the cell walls, facilitates water transport, and acts as a physical barrier to pathogens. Lignin is typically described as being composed of p-hydroxyphenyl (H), guaiacyl (G), and syringyl (S) units that derive from the polymerization of the hydroxycinnamyl alcohols, p-coumaryl, coniferyl, and sinapyl alcohol, respectively. However, lignin also derives from various other aromatic monomers. Here, we review the biosynthetic pathway to the lignin monomers, and how flux through the pathway is regulated. Upon perturbation of the phenylpropanoid pathway, pathway intermediates may successfully incorporate into the lignin polymer, thereby affecting its physicochemical properties, or may remain soluble as such or as derivatized molecules that might interfere with physiological processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- 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
| | - 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
| | - John Ralph
- Department of Energy, Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, Wisconsin Energy Institute, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53726, USA; Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - 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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42
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Oyarce P, De Meester B, Fonseca F, de Vries L, Goeminne G, Pallidis A, De Rycke R, Tsuji Y, Li Y, Van den Bosch S, Sels B, Ralph J, Vanholme R, Boerjan W. Introducing curcumin biosynthesis in Arabidopsis enhances lignocellulosic biomass processing. NATURE PLANTS 2019; 5:225-237. [PMID: 30692678 DOI: 10.1038/s41477-018-0350-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2018] [Accepted: 12/14/2018] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Lignin is the main cause of lignocellulosic biomass recalcitrance to industrial enzymatic hydrolysis. By partially replacing the traditional lignin monomers by alternative ones, lignin extractability can be enhanced. To design a lignin that is easier to degrade under alkaline conditions, curcumin (diferuloylmethane) was produced in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana via simultaneous expression of the turmeric (Curcuma longa) genes DIKETIDE-CoA SYNTHASE (DCS) and CURCUMIN SYNTHASE 2 (CURS2). The transgenic plants produced a plethora of curcumin- and phenylpentanoid-derived compounds with no negative impact on growth. Catalytic hydrogenolysis gave evidence that both curcumin and phenylpentanoids were incorporated into the lignifying cell wall, thereby significantly increasing saccharification efficiency after alkaline pretreatment of the transgenic lines by 14-24% as compared with the wild type. These results demonstrate that non-native monomers can be synthesized and incorporated into the lignin polymer in plants to enhance their biomass processing efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Oyarce
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Barbara De Meester
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Fernando Fonseca
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Lisanne de Vries
- 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 Center for Plant Systems Biology, Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Metabolomics Core, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Andreas Pallidis
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Riet De Rycke
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Metabolomics Core, Ghent, Belgium
- Ghent University Expertise Centre for Transmission Electron Microscopy and VIB BioImaging Core, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Yukiko Tsuji
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
- US Department of Energy, Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, Wisconsin Energy Institute, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Yanding Li
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
- US Department of Energy, Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, Wisconsin Energy Institute, Madison, WI, USA
| | | | - Bert Sels
- Center for Surface Chemistry and Catalysis, KU Leuven, Heverlee, Belgium
| | - John Ralph
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
- US Department of Energy, Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, Wisconsin Energy Institute, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Ruben Vanholme
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Metabolomics Core, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Wout Boerjan
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Ghent, Belgium.
- VIB Metabolomics Core, Ghent, Belgium.
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43
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Kim KH, Wang Y, Takada M, Eudes A, Yoo CG, Kim CS, Saddler J. Deep Eutectic Solvent Pretreatment of Transgenic Biomass With Increased C 6C 1 Lignin Monomers. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2019; 10:1774. [PMID: 32082342 PMCID: PMC7000926 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2019.01774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2019] [Accepted: 12/19/2019] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
The complex and heterogeneous polyphenolic structure of lignin confers recalcitrance to plant cell walls and challenges biomass processing for agroindustrial applications. Recently, significant efforts have been made to alter lignin composition to overcome its inherent intractability. In this work, to overcome technical difficulties related to biomass recalcitrance, we report an integrated strategy combining biomass genetic engineering with a pretreatment using a bio-derived deep eutectic solvent (DES). In particular, we employed biomass from an Arabidopsis line that expressed a bacterial hydroxycinnamoyl-CoA hydratase-lyase (HCHL) in lignifying tissues, which results in the accumulation of unusual C6C1 lignin monomers and a slight decrease in lignin molecular weight. The transgenic biomass was pretreated with renewable DES that can be synthesized from lignin-derived phenols. Biomass from the HCHL plant line containing C6C1 monomers showed increased pretreatment efficiency and released more fermentable sugars up to 34% compared to WT biomass. The enhanced biomass saccharification of the HCHL line is likely due to a reduction of lignin recalcitrance caused by the overproduction of C6C1 aromatics that act as degree of polymerization (DP) reducers and higher chemical reactivity of lignin structures with such C6C1 aromatics. Overall, our findings demonstrate that strategic plant genetic engineering, along with renewable DES pretreatment, could enable the development of sustainable biorefinery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kwang Ho Kim
- Clean Energy Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, South Korea
- Department of Wood Science, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- *Correspondence: Kwang Ho Kim,
| | - Yunxuan Wang
- Department of Paper and Bioprocess Engineering, State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, NY, United States
| | - Masatsugu Takada
- Department of Wood Science, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Aymerick Eudes
- Feedstocks Division, Joint BioEnergy Institute, Emeryville, CA, United States
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Chang Geun Yoo
- Department of Paper and Bioprocess Engineering, State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, NY, United States
| | - Chang Soo Kim
- Clean Energy Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jack Saddler
- Department of Wood Science, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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44
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Mahon EL, Mansfield SD. Tailor-made trees: engineering lignin for ease of processing and tomorrow's bioeconomy. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2018; 56:147-155. [PMID: 30529238 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2018.10.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2018] [Revised: 10/19/2018] [Accepted: 10/31/2018] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Lignocellulosic biomass represents an abundant source of cellulosic fibres and fermentable sugars. However, lignin, a polyphenolic constituent of secondary-thickened plant cell walls significantly contributes to biomass recalcitrance during industrial processing. Efforts to reduce plant total lignin content through genetic engineering have improved processing efficiency, but often incur an agronomic penalty. Alternatively, modifications that alter the composition of lignin and/or its interaction with other cell wall polymers display improved processing efficiency without compromising biomass yield. We propose that future efforts to improve woody feedstocks should focus on altering lignin composition and cell wall ultrastructure. Here, we describe potential future modifications to lignin and/or other cell wall characteristics that may serve as strategic targets in the production of trees that are tailor-made for specific pretreatments and end-product applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth L Mahon
- 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.
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45
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Van de Wouwer D, Boerjan W, Vanholme B. Plant cell wall sugars: sweeteners for a bio-based economy. PHYSIOLOGIA PLANTARUM 2018; 164:27-44. [PMID: 29430656 DOI: 10.1111/ppl.12705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2017] [Revised: 02/07/2018] [Accepted: 02/07/2018] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Global warming and the consequent climate change is one of the major environmental challenges we are facing today. The driving force behind the rise in temperature is our fossil-based economy, which releases massive amounts of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. In order to reduce greenhouse gas emission, we need to scale down our dependency on fossil resources, implying that we need other sources for energy and chemicals to feed our economy. Here, plants have an important role to play; by means of photosynthesis, plants capture solar energy to split water and fix carbon derived from atmospheric carbon dioxide. A significant fraction of the fixed carbon ends up as polysaccharides in the plant cell wall. Fermentable sugars derived from cell wall polysaccharides form an ideal carbon source for the production of bio-platform molecules. However, a major limiting factor in the use of plant biomass as feedstock for the bio-based economy is the complexity of the plant cell wall and its recalcitrance towards deconstruction. To facilitate the release of fermentable sugars during downstream biomass processing, the composition and structure of the cell wall can be engineered. Different strategies to reduce cell wall recalcitrance will be described in this review. The ultimate goal is to obtain a tailor-made biomass, derived from plants with a cell wall optimized for particular industrial or agricultural applications, without affecting plant growth and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorien Van de Wouwer
- Ghent University, Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, (Technologiepark 927), 9052, Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, (Technologiepark 927), 9052, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Wout Boerjan
- Ghent University, Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, (Technologiepark 927), 9052, Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, (Technologiepark 927), 9052, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Bartel Vanholme
- Ghent University, Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, (Technologiepark 927), 9052, Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, (Technologiepark 927), 9052, Ghent, Belgium
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46
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The Modification of Cell Wall Properties by Expression of Recombinant Resilin in Transgenic Plants. Mol Biotechnol 2018; 60:310-318. [DOI: 10.1007/s12033-018-0074-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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47
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Eudes A, Berthomieu R, Hao Z, Zhao N, Benites VT, Baidoo EEK, Loqué D. Production of muconic acid in plants. Metab Eng 2018; 46:13-19. [PMID: 29474840 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymben.2018.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2017] [Revised: 01/06/2018] [Accepted: 02/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Muconic acid (MA) is a dicarboxylic acid used for the production of industrially relevant chemicals such as adipic acid, terephthalic acid, and caprolactam. Because the synthesis of these polymer precursors generates toxic intermediates by utilizing petroleum-derived chemicals and corrosive catalysts, the development of alternative strategies for the bio-based production of MA has garnered significant interest. Plants produce organic carbon skeletons by harvesting carbon dioxide and energy from the sun, and therefore represent advantageous hosts for engineered metabolic pathways towards the manufacturing of chemicals. In this work, we engineered Arabidopsis to demonstrate that plants can serve as green factories for the bio-manufacturing of MA. In particular, dual expression of plastid-targeted bacterial salicylate hydroxylase (NahG) and catechol 1,2-dioxygenase (CatA) resulted in the conversion of the endogenous salicylic acid (SA) pool into MA via catechol. Sequential increase of SA derived from the shikimate pathway was achieved by expressing plastid-targeted versions of bacterial salicylate synthase (Irp9) and feedback-resistant 3-deoxy-D-arabino-heptulosonate synthase (AroG). Introducing this SA over-producing strategy into engineered plants that co-express NahG and CatA resulted in a 50-fold increase in MA titers. Considering that MA was easily recovered from senesced plant biomass after harvest, we envision the phytoproduction of MA as a beneficial option to add value to bioenergy crops.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aymerick Eudes
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, EmeryStation East, 5885 Hollis St, 4th Floor, Emeryville, CA 94608, USA; Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.
| | - Roland Berthomieu
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, EmeryStation East, 5885 Hollis St, 4th Floor, Emeryville, CA 94608, USA; Ecole Polytechnique, Université Paris-Saclay, Palaiseau 91120, France
| | - Zhangying Hao
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, EmeryStation East, 5885 Hollis St, 4th Floor, Emeryville, CA 94608, USA; Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Nanxia Zhao
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, EmeryStation East, 5885 Hollis St, 4th Floor, Emeryville, CA 94608, USA; Department of Bioengineering, Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Veronica Teixeira Benites
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, EmeryStation East, 5885 Hollis St, 4th Floor, Emeryville, CA 94608, USA; Biological Systems and Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Edward E K Baidoo
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, EmeryStation East, 5885 Hollis St, 4th Floor, Emeryville, CA 94608, USA; Biological Systems and Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Dominique Loqué
- Joint BioEnergy Institute, EmeryStation East, 5885 Hollis St, 4th Floor, Emeryville, CA 94608, USA; Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; Université Lyon 1, INSA de Lyon, CNRS, UMR5240, Microbiologie, Adaptation et Pathogénie, 10 rue Raphaël Dubois, F-69622, Villeurbanne, France.
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48
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Yan J, Aznar A, Chalvin C, Birdseye DS, Baidoo EEK, Eudes A, Shih PM, Loqué D, Zhang A, Scheller HV. Increased drought tolerance in plants engineered for low lignin and low xylan content. BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR BIOFUELS 2018; 11:195. [PMID: 30026810 PMCID: PMC6050699 DOI: 10.1186/s13068-018-1196-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2018] [Accepted: 07/06/2018] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We previously developed several strategies to engineer plants to produce cost-efficient biofuels from plant biomass. Engineered Arabidopsis plants with low xylan and lignin content showed normal growth and improved saccharification efficiency under standard growth conditions. However, it remains to be determined whether these engineered plants perform well under drought stress, which is the primary source of abiotic stress in the field. RESULTS Upon exposing engineered Arabidopsis plants to severe drought, we observed better survival rates in those with a low degree of xylan acetylation, low lignin, and low xylan content compared to those in wild-type plants. Increased pectic galactan content had no effect on drought tolerance. The drought-tolerant plants exhibited low water loss from leaves, and drought-responsive genes (RD29A, RD29B, DREB2A) were generally up-regulated under drought stress, which did not occur in the well-watered state. When compared with the wild type, plants with low lignin due to expression of QsuB, a 3-dehydroshikimate dehydratase, showed a stronger response to abscisic acid (ABA) in assays for seed germination and stomatal closure. The low-lignin plants also accumulated more ABA in response to drought than the wild-type plants. On the contrary, the drought tolerance in the engineered plants with low xylan content and low xylan acetylation was not associated with differences in ABA content or response compared to the wild type. Surprisingly, we found a significant increase in galactose levels and sugar released from the low xylan-engineered plants under drought stress. CONCLUSIONS This study shows that plants engineered to accumulate less lignin or xylan are more tolerant to drought and activate drought responses faster than control plants. This is an important finding because it demonstrates that modification of secondary cell walls does not necessarily render the plants less robust in the environment, and it shows that substantial changes in biomass composition can be achieved without compromising plant resilience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingwei Yan
- Joint BioEnergy Institute and Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
- College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095 Jiangsu China
| | - Aude Aznar
- Joint BioEnergy Institute and Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
| | - Camille Chalvin
- Joint BioEnergy Institute and Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
- Ecole Normale Supérieure de Cachan, 94230 Cachan, France
| | - Devon S. Birdseye
- Joint BioEnergy Institute and Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
| | - Edward E. K. Baidoo
- Joint BioEnergy Institute and Biological Systems and Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
| | - Aymerick Eudes
- Joint BioEnergy Institute and Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
| | - Patrick M. Shih
- Joint BioEnergy Institute and Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
| | - Dominique Loqué
- Joint BioEnergy Institute and Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
| | - Aying Zhang
- College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095 Jiangsu China
| | - Henrik V. Scheller
- Joint BioEnergy Institute and Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
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Akinosho H, Yee K, Rodriguez M, Muchero W, Yoo CG, Li M, Thompson O, Pu Y, Brown S, Mielenz J, Ragauskas AJ. Lignin Exhibits Recalcitrance‐Associated Features Following the Consolidated Bioprocessing of
Populus trichocarpa
Natural Variants. ChemistrySelect 2017. [DOI: 10.1002/slct.201701572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Akinosho
- BioEnergy Science Center Oak Ridge National Laboratory Oak Ridge TN 37831
- Biosciences Division Oak Ridge National Laboratory Oak Ridge TN 37831
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, G eorgia Institute of Technology Atlanta GA 30332
| | - Kelsey Yee
- BioEnergy Science Center Oak Ridge National Laboratory Oak Ridge TN 37831
- Biosciences Division Oak Ridge National Laboratory Oak Ridge TN 37831
| | - Miguel Rodriguez
- BioEnergy Science Center Oak Ridge National Laboratory Oak Ridge TN 37831
- Biosciences Division Oak Ridge National Laboratory Oak Ridge TN 37831
| | - Wellington Muchero
- BioEnergy Science Center Oak Ridge National Laboratory Oak Ridge TN 37831
- Biosciences Division Oak Ridge National Laboratory Oak Ridge TN 37831
| | - Chang Geun Yoo
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering & Department of Forestry Center for Renewable Carbon at Wildlife, and Fisheries University of Tennessee Knoxville TN 37996
- BioEnergy Science Center Oak Ridge National Laboratory Oak Ridge TN 37831
- Biosciences Division Oak Ridge National Laboratory Oak Ridge TN 37831
| | - Mi Li
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering & Department of Forestry Center for Renewable Carbon at Wildlife, and Fisheries University of Tennessee Knoxville TN 37996
- BioEnergy Science Center Oak Ridge National Laboratory Oak Ridge TN 37831
- Biosciences Division Oak Ridge National Laboratory Oak Ridge TN 37831
| | - Olivia Thompson
- BioEnergy Science Center Oak Ridge National Laboratory Oak Ridge TN 37831
- Biosciences Division Oak Ridge National Laboratory Oak Ridge TN 37831
| | - Yunqiao Pu
- BioEnergy Science Center Oak Ridge National Laboratory Oak Ridge TN 37831
- Biosciences Division Oak Ridge National Laboratory Oak Ridge TN 37831
| | - Steven Brown
- BioEnergy Science Center Oak Ridge National Laboratory Oak Ridge TN 37831
- Biosciences Division Oak Ridge National Laboratory Oak Ridge TN 37831
| | - Johnathan Mielenz
- BioEnergy Science Center Oak Ridge National Laboratory Oak Ridge TN 37831
- Biosciences Division Oak Ridge National Laboratory Oak Ridge TN 37831
| | - Arthur J. Ragauskas
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering & Department of Forestry Center for Renewable Carbon at Wildlife, and Fisheries University of Tennessee Knoxville TN 37996
- BioEnergy Science Center Oak Ridge National Laboratory Oak Ridge TN 37831
- Biosciences Division Oak Ridge National Laboratory Oak Ridge TN 37831
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50
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SbCOMT (Bmr12) is involved in the biosynthesis of tricin-lignin in sorghum. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0178160. [PMID: 28594846 PMCID: PMC5464547 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0178160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2017] [Accepted: 05/09/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Lignin in plant biomass represents a target for engineering strategies towards the development of a sustainable bioeconomy. In addition to the conventional lignin monomers, namely p-coumaryl, coniferyl and sinapyl alcohols, tricin has been shown to be part of the native lignin polymer in certain monocot species. Because tricin is considered to initiate the polymerization of lignin chains, elucidating its biosynthesis and mechanism of export to the cell wall constitute novel challenges for the engineering of bioenergy crops. Late steps of tricin biosynthesis require two methylation reactions involving the pathway intermediate selgin. It has recently been demonstrated in rice and maize that caffeate O-methyltransferase (COMT) involved in the synthesis syringyl (S) lignin units derived from sinapyl alcohol also participates in the synthesis of tricin in planta. In this work, we validate in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) that the O-methyltransferase responsible for the production of S lignin units (SbCOMT / Bmr12) is also involved in the synthesis of lignin-linked tricin. In particular, we show that biomass from the sorghum bmr12 mutant contains lower level of tricin incorporated into lignin, and that SbCOMT can methylate the tricin precursors luteolin and selgin. Our genetic and biochemical data point toward a general mechanism whereby COMT is involved in the synthesis of both tricin and S lignin units.
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