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Zhang L, Zhou Y, Zhang B. Xylan-directed cell wall assembly in grasses. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2024; 194:2197-2207. [PMID: 38095432 DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiad665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
Xylan is the most abundant hemicellulosic polysaccharide in the cell walls of grasses and is pivotal for the assembly of distinct cell wall structures that govern various cellular functions. Xylan also plays a crucial role in regulating biomass recalcitrance, ultimately affecting the utilization potential of lignocellulosic materials. Over the past decades, our understanding of the xylan biosynthetic machinery and cell wall organization has substantially improved due to the innovative application of multiple state-of-the-art techniques. Notably, novel xylan-based nanostructures have been revealed in the cell walls of xylem vessels, promoting a more extensive exploration of the role of xylan in the formation of cell wall structures. This Update summarizes recent achievements in understanding xylan biosynthesis, modification, modeling, and compartmentalization in grasses, providing a brief overview of cell wall assembly regarding xylan. We also discuss the potential for tailoring xylan to facilitate the breeding of elite energy and feed crops.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lanjun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Yihua Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Baocai Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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2
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Zhao B, Li K, Wang M, Liu Z, Yin P, Wang W, Li Z, Li X, Zhang L, Han Y, Li J, Yang X. Genetic basis of maize stalk strength decoded via linkage and association mapping. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2024; 117:1558-1573. [PMID: 38113320 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.16583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
Stalk lodging is a severe problem that limits maize production worldwide, although little attention has been given to its genetic basis. Here we measured rind penetrometer resistance (RPR), an effective index for stalk lodging, in a multi-parent population of 1948 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) and an association population of 508 inbred lines (AMP508). Linkage and association mapping identified 53 and 29 single quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and 50 and 19 pairs of epistatic interactions for RPR in the multi-parent population and AMP508 population, respectively. Phenotypic variation explained by all identified epistatic QTLs (up to ~5%) was much less than that explained by all single additive QTLs (up to ~33% in the multi-parent population and ~ 60% in the AMP508 population). Among all detected QTLs, only eight single QTLs explained >10% of phenotypic variation in single RIL populations. Alleles that increased RPR were enriched in tropical/subtropical (TST) groups from the AMP508 population. Based on genome-wide association studies in both populations, we identified 137 candidate genes affecting RPR, which were assigned to multiple biological processes, such as the biosynthesis of cell wall components. Sixty-six candidate genes were cross-validated by multiple methods or populations. Most importantly, 23 candidate genes were upregulated or downregulated in high-RPR lines relative to low-RPR lines, supporting the associations between candidate genes and RPR. These findings reveal the complex nature of the genetic basis underlying RPR and provide loci or candidate genes for developing elite varieties that are resistant to stalk lodging via molecular breeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Binghao Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Environmental Resilience and National Maize Improvement Center of China, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Kun Li
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Environmental Resilience and National Maize Improvement Center of China, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
- Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Min Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Environmental Resilience and National Maize Improvement Center of China, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Zhiyuan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Environmental Resilience and National Maize Improvement Center of China, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Pengfei Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Environmental Resilience and National Maize Improvement Center of China, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Weidong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Environmental Resilience and National Maize Improvement Center of China, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Zhigang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Environmental Resilience and National Maize Improvement Center of China, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Xiaowei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Environmental Resilience and National Maize Improvement Center of China, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Lili Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Environmental Resilience and National Maize Improvement Center of China, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Yingjia Han
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Environmental Resilience and National Maize Improvement Center of China, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
- Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Physiology, Institute of Botany, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100093, China
| | - Jiansheng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Environmental Resilience and National Maize Improvement Center of China, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Xiaohong Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Environmental Resilience and National Maize Improvement Center of China, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
- Frontiers Science Center for Molecular Design Breeding, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
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3
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Li W, Lin YCJ, Chen YL, Zhou C, Li S, De Ridder N, Oliveira DM, Zhang L, Zhang B, Wang JP, Xu C, Fu X, Luo K, Wu AM, Demura T, Lu MZ, Zhou Y, Li L, Umezawa T, Boerjan W, Chiang VL. Woody plant cell walls: Fundamentals and utilization. MOLECULAR PLANT 2024; 17:112-140. [PMID: 38102833 DOI: 10.1016/j.molp.2023.12.008] [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: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
Cell walls in plants, particularly forest trees, are the major carbon sink of the terrestrial ecosystem. Chemical and biosynthetic features of plant cell walls were revealed early on, focusing mostly on herbaceous model species. Recent developments in genomics, transcriptomics, epigenomics, transgenesis, and associated analytical techniques are enabling novel insights into formation of woody cell walls. Here, we review multilevel regulation of cell wall biosynthesis in forest tree species. We highlight current approaches to engineering cell walls as potential feedstock for materials and energy and survey reported field tests of such engineered transgenic trees. We outline opportunities and challenges in future research to better understand cell type biogenesis for more efficient wood cell wall modification and utilization for biomaterials or for enhanced carbon capture and storage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
| | | | - Ying-Lan Chen
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioindustry Sciences, College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan, China
| | - Chenguang Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Shuang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Nette De Ridder
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Technologiepark 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium; VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Technologiepark 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Dyoni M Oliveira
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Technologiepark 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium; VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Technologiepark 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Lanjun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Baocai Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jack P Wang
- Forest Biotechnology Group, Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| | - Changzheng Xu
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Plant Resource Conservation and Germplasm Innovation, Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Xiaokang Fu
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Plant Resource Conservation and Germplasm Innovation, Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Keming Luo
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Plant Resource Conservation and Germplasm Innovation, Integrative Science Center of Germplasm Creation, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Ai-Min Wu
- Guangdong Key Laboratory for Innovative Development and Utilization of Forest Plant Germplasm, College of Forestry and Landscape Architectures, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Taku Demura
- Center for Digital Green-innovation, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, Ikoma, Nara 630-0192, Japan
| | - Meng-Zhu Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, College of Forestry and Biotechnology, Zhejiang A & F University, Hangzhou 311300, China
| | - Yihua Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Laigeng Li
- CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 300 Fenglin Road, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Toshiaki Umezawa
- Laboratory of Metabolic Science of Forest Plants and Microorganisms, Research Institute for Sustainable Humanosphere, Kyoto University, Uji, Kyoto 611-0011, Japan
| | - 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
| | - Vincent L Chiang
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China; Forest Biotechnology Group, Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA.
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Wang W, Zhang Y, Liu C, Dong Y, Jiang X, Zhao C, Li G, Xu K, Huo Z. Label-Free Quantitative Proteomics Reveal the Mechanisms of Young Wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) Ears' Response to Spring Freezing. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15892. [PMID: 37958875 PMCID: PMC10648784 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242115892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Late spring frost is an important meteorological factor threatening the safe production of winter wheat in China. The young ear is the most vulnerable organ of the wheat plant to spring frost. To gain an insight into the mechanisms underpinning young wheat ears' tolerance to freezing, we performed a comparative proteome analysis of wheat varieties Xumai33 (XM33, freezing-sensitive) and Jimai22 (JM22, freezing-tolerant) under normal and freezing conditions using label-free quantitative proteomic techniques during the anther connective tissue formation phase (ACFP). Under freezing stress, 392 and 103 differently expressed proteins (DEPs) were identified in the young ears of XM33 and JM22, respectively, and among these, 30 proteins were common in both varieties. A functional characterization analysis revealed that these DEPs were associated with antioxidant capacity, cell wall modification, protein folding, dehydration response, and plant-pathogen interactions. The young ears of JM22 showed significantly higher expression levels of antioxidant enzymes, heat shock proteins, and dehydrin under normal conditions compared to those of XM33, which might help to prepare the young ears of JM22 for freezing stress. Our results lead to new insights into understanding the mechanisms in young wheat ears' response to freezing stress and provide pivotal potential candidate proteins required for improving young wheat ears' tolerance to spring frost.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Zhongyang Huo
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Physiology/Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Cultivation and Physiology/Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Modern Production Technology of Grain Crops/Agricultural College, Yangzhou University, No. 88 Daxue South Road, Yangzhou 225009, China; (W.W.); (G.L.); (K.X.)
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5
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Wang S, Robertz S, Seven M, Kraemer F, Kuhn BM, Liu L, Lunde C, Pauly M, Ramírez V. A large-scale forward genetic screen for maize mutants with altered lignocellulosic properties. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1099009. [PMID: 36959947 PMCID: PMC10028098 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1099009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The development of efficient pipelines for the bioconversion of grass lignocellulosic feedstocks is challenging due to the limited understanding of the molecular mechanisms controlling the synthesis, deposition, and degradation of the varying polymers unique to grass cell walls. Here, we describe a large-scale forward genetic approach resulting in the identification of a collection of chemically mutagenized maize mutants with diverse alterations in their cell wall attributes such as crystalline cellulose content or hemicellulose composition. Saccharification yield, i.e. the amount of lignocellulosic glucose (Glc) released by means of enzymatic hydrolysis, is increased in two of the mutants and decreased in the remaining six. These mutants, termed candy-leaf (cal), show no obvious plant growth or developmental defects despite associated differences in their lignocellulosic composition. The identified cal mutants are a valuable tool not only to understand recalcitrance of grass lignocellulosics to enzymatic deconstruction but also to decipher grass-specific aspects of cell wall biology once the genetic basis, i.e. the location of the mutation, has been identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaogan Wang
- Institute for Plant Cell Biology and Biotechnology-Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Stefan Robertz
- Institute for Plant Cell Biology and Biotechnology-Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Merve Seven
- Institute for Plant Cell Biology and Biotechnology-Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Florian Kraemer
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, Energy Biosciences Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Benjamin M. Kuhn
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, Energy Biosciences Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Lifeng Liu
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, Energy Biosciences Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - China Lunde
- Plant Gene Expression Center, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Albany, CA, United States
| | - Markus Pauly
- Institute for Plant Cell Biology and Biotechnology-Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, Energy Biosciences Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Vicente Ramírez
- Institute for Plant Cell Biology and Biotechnology-Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, Energy Biosciences Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
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6
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Ye ZH, Zhong R. Outstanding questions on xylan biosynthesis. PLANT SCIENCE : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL PLANT BIOLOGY 2022; 325:111476. [PMID: 36174800 DOI: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2022.111476] [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: 06/05/2022] [Revised: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Xylan is the second most abundant polysaccharide in plant biomass. It is a crucial component of cell wall structure as well as a significant factor contributing to biomass recalcitrance. Xylan consists of a linear chain of β-1,4-linked xylosyl residues that are often substituted with glycosyl side chains, such as glucuronosyl/methylglucuronosyl and arabinofuranosyl residues, and acetylated at O-2 and/or O-3. Xylan from gymnosperms and dicots contains a unique reducing end tetrasaccharide sequence that is not detected in xylan from grasses, bryophytes and seedless vascular plants. Grass xylan is heavily decorated at O-3 with arabinofuranosyl residues that are frequently esterified with hydroxycinnamates. Genetic and biochemical studies have uncovered a number of genes involved in xylan backbone elongation and acetylation, xylan glycosyl substitutions and their modifications, and the synthesis of the unique xylan reducing end tetrasaccharide sequence, but some outstanding issues on the biosynthesis of xylan still remain unanswered. Here, we provide a brief overview of xylan structure and focus on discussion of the current understanding and open questions on xylan biosynthesis. Further elucidation of the biochemical mechanisms underlying xylan biosynthesis will not only shed new insights into cell wall biology but also provide molecular tools for genetic modification of biomass composition tailored for diverse end uses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng-Hua Ye
- Department of Plant Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Ruiqin Zhong
- Department of Plant Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
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7
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Zhong R, Lee C, Cui D, Phillips DR, Adams ER, Jeong HY, Jung KH, Ye ZH. Identification of xylan arabinosyl 2-O-xylosyltransferases catalyzing the addition of 2-O-xylosyl residue onto arabinosyl side chains of xylan in grass species. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2022; 112:193-206. [PMID: 35959609 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.15939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Revised: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Grass xylan, the major hemicellulose in both primary and secondary cell walls, is heavily decorated with α-1,3-linked arabinofuranosyl (Araf) residues that may be further substituted at O-2 with xylosyl (Xyl) or Araf residues. Although xylan 3-O-arabinosyltransferases (XATs) catalyzing 3-O-Araf addition onto xylan have been characterized, glycosyltransferases responsible for the transfer of 2-O-Xyl or 2-O-Araf onto 3-O-Araf residues of xylan to produce the Xyl-Araf and Araf-Araf disaccharide side chains remain to be identified. In this report, we showed that a rice GT61 member, named OsXAXT1 (xylan arabinosyl 2-O-xylosyltransferase 1) herein, was able to mediate the addition of Xyl-Araf disaccharide side chains onto xylan when heterologously co-expressed with OsXAT2 in the Arabidopsis gux1/2/3 (glucuronic acid substitution of xylan 1/2/3) triple mutant that lacks any glycosyl substitutions. Recombinant OsXAXT1 protein expressed in human embryonic kidney 293 cells exhibited a xylosyltransferase activity catalyzing the addition of Xyl from UDP-Xyl onto arabinosylated xylooligomers. Consistent with its function as a xylan arabinosyl 2-O-xylosyltransferase, CRISPR-Cas9-mediated mutations of the OsXAXT1 gene in transgenic rice plants resulted in a reduction in the level of Xyl-Araf disaccharide side chains in xylan. Furthermore, we revealed that XAXT1 close homologs from several other grass species, including switchgrass, maize, and Brachypodium, possessed the same functions as OsXAXT1, indicating functional conservation of XAXTs in grass species. Together, our findings establish that grass XAXTs are xylosyltransferases catalyzing Xyl transfer onto O-2 of Araf residues of xylan to form the Xyl-Araf disaccharide side chains, which furthers our understanding of genes involved in xylan biosynthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruiqin Zhong
- Department of Plant Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Chanhui Lee
- Department of Plant & Environmental New Resources, College of Life Sciences, Kyung Hee University, Yongin, 17104, Republic of Korea
| | - Dongtao Cui
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - Dennis R Phillips
- Department of Chemistry, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Earle R Adams
- Department of Chemistry, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Ho-Young Jeong
- Department of Plant & Environmental New Resources, College of Life Sciences, Kyung Hee University, Yongin, 17104, Republic of Korea
| | - Ki-Hong Jung
- Graduate School of Green-Bio Science, Kyung Hee University, Yongin, 17104, Republic of Korea
| | - Zheng-Hua Ye
- Department of Plant Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
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8
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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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9
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Zhong R, Cui D, Phillips DR, Sims NT, Ye ZH. Functional analysis of GT61 glycosyltransferases from grass species in xylan substitutions. PLANTA 2021; 254:131. [PMID: 34821996 DOI: 10.1007/s00425-021-03794-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Multiple rice GT61 members were demonstrated to be xylan arabinosyltransferases (XATs) mediating 3-O-arabinosylation of xylan and the functions of XATs and xylan 2-O-xylosyltransferases were shown to be conserved in grass species. Xylan is the major hemicellulose in the cell walls of grass species and it is typified by having arabinofuranosyl (Araf) substitutions. In this report, we demonstrated that four previously uncharacterized, Golgi-localized glycosyltransferases residing in clade A or B of the rice GT61 family were able to mediate 3-O-arabinosylation of xylan when heterologously expressed in the Arabidopsis gux1/2/3 triple mutant. Biochemical characterization of their recombinant proteins established that they were xylan arabinosyltransferases (XATs) capable of transferring Araf residues onto xylohexaose acceptors, and thus they were named OsXAT4, OsXAT5, OsXAT6 and OsXAT7. OsXAT5 and the previously identified OsXAT2 were shown to be able to arabinosylate xylooligomers with a degree of polymerization of as low as 3. Furthermore, a number of XAT homologs from maize, sorghum, Brachypodium and switchgrass were found to exhibit activities catalyzing Araf transfer onto xylohexaose, indicating that they are XATs involved in xylan arabinosylation in these grass species. Moreover, we revealed that homologs of another GT61 member, xylan 2-O-xylosyltransferase (XYXT1), from these grass species could mediate 2-O-xylosylation of xylan when expressed in the Arabidopsis gux1/2/3 mutant. Together, our findings indicate that multiple OsXATs are involved in 3-O-arabinosylation of xylan and the functions of XATs and XYXTs are conserved in grass species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruiqin Zhong
- Department of Plant Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Dongtao Cui
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - Dennis R Phillips
- Department of Chemistry, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Nathanael T Sims
- Department of Plant Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Zheng-Hua Ye
- Department of Plant Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA.
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Maruyama R, Mayuzumi Y, Morisawa J, Kawai S. Transgenic rice plants expressing the α-L-arabinofuranosidase of Coprinopsis cinerea exhibit strong dwarfism and markedly enhanced tillering. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY (TOKYO, JAPAN) 2021; 38:379-386. [PMID: 34782826 PMCID: PMC8562574 DOI: 10.5511/plantbiotechnology.21.0616a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Lignocellulosic materials are potential renewable sources of fermentable sugars for bioethanol production. In this study, we used the CcAbf62A gene encoding CcAbf62A, a putative extracellular α-L-arabinofuranosidase, cloned from the mycotrophic basidiomycete Coprinopsis cinerea. CcAbf62A acts on arabinoxylan, the major hemicellulose of grasses, releasing arabinose. CcAbf62A was introduced into rice with the aim of enhancing delignification efficiency and the availability of lignocellulosic materials without reducing lignin content. Among the 32 lines of regenerated transgenic rice, 13 exhibited markedly disrupted elongation growth and excessive tillering (dwarf), seven showed delayed elongation growth (retarded-growth), and 12 showed phenotypes similar to those of control plants (normal). Additionally, the dwarf lines showed reduced acclimation. RT-PCR analysis revealed that dwarf lines had higher levels of CcAbf62A expression than retarded-growth and normal lines. Although the lignin content of transgenic rice plants expressing CcAbf62A did not differ significantly from that of control rice plants, dwarf lines were characterized by delayed deposition of lignin in the culms compared with the controls. The reduced acclimation ability of dwarf lines is believed to be associated with increased water loss and reduced water conductivity concomitant with delayed lignin deposition. Contrary to expectations, the alkaline delignification rates of dwarf and retarded-growth Abf lines were slightly lower than those of control rice plants. Our findings indicate that CcAbf62A reduces ferulate-lignin cross-links by detaching arabinose side chains from arabinoxylan and increases the relative abundance of alkaline-resistant benzyl ether cross-links. CcAbf62A is anticipated to provide new approaches for breeding plants containing altered lignocellulosic materials or lodging-resistant crops.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryo Maruyama
- United Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu, Tokyo 183-8509, Japan
| | - Yasuyoshi Mayuzumi
- United Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu, Tokyo 183-8509, Japan
| | - Jun Morisawa
- Graduate School of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu, Tokyo 183-8509, Japan
| | - Shinya Kawai
- United Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu, Tokyo 183-8509, Japan
- Graduate School of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu, Tokyo 183-8509, Japan
- Gene Research Center, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu, Tokyo 183-8509, Japan
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Zhang W, Qin W, Li H, Wu AM. Biosynthesis and Transport of Nucleotide Sugars for Plant Hemicellulose. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 12:723128. [PMID: 34868108 PMCID: PMC8636097 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.723128] [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: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Hemicellulose is entangled with cellulose through hydrogen bonds and meanwhile acts as a bridge for the deposition of lignin monomer in the secondary wall. Therefore, hemicellulose plays a vital role in the utilization of cell wall biomass. Many advances in hemicellulose research have recently been made, and a large number of genes and their functions have been identified and verified. However, due to the diversity and complexity of hemicellulose, the biosynthesis and regulatory mechanisms are yet unknown. In this review, we summarized the types of plant hemicellulose, hemicellulose-specific nucleotide sugar substrates, key transporters, and biosynthesis pathways. This review will contribute to a better understanding of substrate-level regulation of hemicellulose synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjuan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangdong Key Laboratory for Innovative Development and Utilization of Forest Plant Germplasm, College of Forestry and Landscape Architecture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Key Laboratory for Innovative Development and Utilization of Forest Plant Germplasm, College of Forestry and Landscape Architectures, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wenqi Qin
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangdong Key Laboratory for Innovative Development and Utilization of Forest Plant Germplasm, College of Forestry and Landscape Architecture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Key Laboratory for Innovative Development and Utilization of Forest Plant Germplasm, College of Forestry and Landscape Architectures, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Huiling Li
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangdong Key Laboratory for Innovative Development and Utilization of Forest Plant Germplasm, College of Forestry and Landscape Architecture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Key Laboratory for Innovative Development and Utilization of Forest Plant Germplasm, College of Forestry and Landscape Architectures, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ai-min Wu
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangdong Key Laboratory for Innovative Development and Utilization of Forest Plant Germplasm, College of Forestry and Landscape Architecture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Key Laboratory for Innovative Development and Utilization of Forest Plant Germplasm, College of Forestry and Landscape Architectures, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Ai-min Wu,
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