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Lam LPY, Lui ACW, Bartley LE, Mikami B, Umezawa T, Lo C. Multifunctional 5-hydroxyconiferaldehyde O-methyltransferases (CAldOMTs) in plant metabolism. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2024; 75:1671-1695. [PMID: 38198655 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erae011] [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: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
Lignin, flavonoids, melatonin, and stilbenes are plant specialized metabolites with diverse physiological and biological functions, supporting plant growth and conferring stress resistance. Their biosynthesis requires O-methylations catalyzed by 5-hydroxyconiferaldehyde O-methyltransferase (CAldOMT; also called caffeic acid O-methyltransferase, COMT). CAldOMT was first known for its roles in syringyl (S) lignin biosynthesis in angiosperm cell walls and later found to be multifunctional. This enzyme also catalyzes O-methylations in flavonoid, melatonin, and stilbene biosynthetic pathways. Phylogenetic analysis indicated the convergent evolution of enzymes with OMT activities towards the monolignol biosynthetic pathway intermediates in some gymnosperm species that lack S-lignin and Selaginella moellendorffii, a lycophyte which produces S-lignin. Furthermore, neofunctionalization of CAldOMTs occurred repeatedly during evolution, generating unique O-methyltransferases (OMTs) with novel catalytic activities and/or accepting novel substrates, including lignans, 1,2,3-trihydroxybenzene, and phenylpropenes. This review summarizes multiple aspects of CAldOMTs and their related proteins in plant metabolism and discusses their evolution, molecular mechanism, and roles in biorefineries, agriculture, and synthetic biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lydia Pui Ying Lam
- Graduate School of Engineering Science, Akita University, Tegata Gakuen-machi 1-1, Akita City, Akita 010-0852, Japan
| | - Andy C W Lui
- Plant Breeding and Genetics Section, School of Integrative Plant Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Laura E Bartley
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
| | - Bunzo Mikami
- Research Institute for Sustainable Humanosphere, Kyoto University, Gokasho, Uji, Kyoto 611-0011, Japan
| | - Toshiaki Umezawa
- Research Institute for Sustainable Humanosphere, Kyoto University, Gokasho, Uji, Kyoto 611-0011, Japan
| | - Clive Lo
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China
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2
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Tian Z, Wang X, Dun X, Tian Z, Zhang X, Li J, Ren L, Tu J, Wang H. Integrating biochemical and anatomical characterizations with transcriptome analysis to dissect superior stem strength of ZS11 ( Brassica napus). FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1144892. [PMID: 37229131 PMCID: PMC10203542 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1144892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Stem lodging resistance is a serious problem impairing crop yield and quality. ZS11 is an adaptable and stable yielding rapeseed variety with excellent resistance to lodging. However, the mechanism regulating lodging resistance in ZS11 remains unclear. Here, we observed that high stem mechanical strength is the main factor determining the superior lodging resistance of ZS11 through a comparative biology study. Compared with 4D122, ZS11 has higher rind penetrometer resistance (RPR) and stem breaking strength (SBS) at flowering and silique stages. Anatomical analysis shows that ZS11 exhibits thicker xylem layers and denser interfascicular fibrocytes. Analysis of cell wall components suggests that ZS11 possessed more lignin and cellulose during stem secondary development. By comparative transcriptome analysis, we reveal a relatively higher expression of genes required for S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) synthesis, and several key genes (4-COUMATATE-CoA LIGASE, CINNAMOYL-CoA REDUCTASE, CAFFEATE O-METHYLTRANSFERASE, PEROXIDASE) involved in lignin synthesis pathway in ZS11, which support an enhanced lignin biosynthesis ability in the ZS11 stem. Moreover, the difference in cellulose may relate to the significant enrichment of DEGs associated with microtubule-related process and cytoskeleton organization at the flowering stage. Protein interaction network analysis indicate that the preferential expression of several genes, such as LONESOME HIGHWAY (LHW), DNA BINDING WITH ONE FINGERS (DOFs), WUSCHEL HOMEOBOX RELATED 4 (WOX4), are related to vascular development and contribute to denser and thicker lignified cell layers in ZS11. Taken together, our results provide insights into the physiological and molecular regulatory basis for the formation of stem lodging resistance in ZS11, which will greatly promote the application of this superior trait in rapeseed breeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengshu Tian
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Oil Crops, Oil Crops Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Ministry of Agriculture, Wuhan, China
- College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- Industrial Crops Institute, Yunnan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Kunming, China
| | - Xinfa Wang
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Oil Crops, Oil Crops Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Ministry of Agriculture, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiaoling Dun
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Oil Crops, Oil Crops Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Ministry of Agriculture, Wuhan, China
| | - Ze Tian
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Oil Crops, Oil Crops Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Ministry of Agriculture, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiaoxue Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Oil Crops, Oil Crops Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Ministry of Agriculture, Wuhan, China
| | - Jinfeng Li
- Industrial Crops Institute, Yunnan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Kunming, China
| | - Lijun Ren
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Oil Crops, Oil Crops Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Ministry of Agriculture, Wuhan, China
| | - Jinxing Tu
- College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Hanzhong Wang
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Oil Crops, Oil Crops Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Ministry of Agriculture, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Wuhan, China
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Bryant N, Zhang J, Feng K, Shu M, Ployet R, Chen JG, Muchero W, Yoo CG, Tschaplinski TJ, Pu Y, Ragauskas AJ. Novel candidate genes for lignin structure identified through genome-wide association study of naturally varying Populus trichocarpa. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1153113. [PMID: 37215291 PMCID: PMC10197963 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1153113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Populus is a promising lignocellulosic feedstock for biofuels and bioproducts. However, the cell wall biopolymer lignin is a major barrier in conversion of biomass to biofuels. To investigate the variability and underlying genetic basis of the complex structure of lignin, a population of 409 three-year-old, naturally varying Populus trichocarpa genotypes were characterized by heteronuclear single quantum coherence (HSQC) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). A subsequent genome-wide association study (GWAS) was conducted using approximately 8.3 million single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), which identified 756 genes that were significantly associated (-log10(p-value)>6) with at least one lignin phenotype. Several promising candidate genes were identified, many of which have not previously been reported to be associated with lignin or cell wall biosynthesis. These results provide a resource for gaining insights into the molecular mechanisms of lignin biosynthesis and new targets for future genetic improvement in poplar.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan Bryant
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, United States
| | - Jin Zhang
- Center for Bioenergy Innovation, Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, United States
| | - Kai Feng
- Center for Bioenergy Innovation, Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, United States
| | - Mengjun Shu
- Center for Bioenergy Innovation, Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, United States
| | - Raphael Ployet
- Center for Bioenergy Innovation, Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, United States
| | - Jin-Gui Chen
- Center for Bioenergy Innovation, Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, United States
| | - Wellington Muchero
- Center for Bioenergy Innovation, Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, United States
| | - Chang Geun Yoo
- Department of Chemical Engineering, State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, NY, United States
| | - Timothy J. Tschaplinski
- Center for Bioenergy Innovation, Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, United States
| | - Yunqiao Pu
- Center for Bioenergy Innovation, Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, United States
| | - Arthur J. Ragauskas
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, United States
- Center for Bioenergy Innovation, Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, United States
- Center for Renewable Carbon, Department of Forestry, Wildlife, and Fisheries, University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, Knoxville, TN, United States
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Afifi OA, Tobimatsu Y, Lam PY, Martin AF, Miyamoto T, Osakabe Y, Osakabe K, Umezawa T. Genome-edited rice deficient in two 4-COUMARATE:COENZYME A LIGASE genes displays diverse lignin alterations. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2022; 190:2155-2172. [PMID: 36149320 PMCID: PMC9706450 DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiac450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The 4-coumarate:coenzyme A ligase (4CL) is a key enzyme that contributes to channeling metabolic flux in the cinnamate/monolignol pathway, leading to the production of monolignols, p-hydroxycinnamates, and a flavonoid tricin, the major building blocks of lignin polymer in grass cell walls. Vascular plants often contain multiple 4CL genes; however, the contribution of each 4CL isoform to lignin biosynthesis remains unclear, especially in grasses. In this study, we characterized the functions of two rice (Oryza sativa L.) 4CL isoforms (Os4CL3 and Os4CL4) primarily by analyzing the cell wall chemical structures of rice mutants generated by CRISPR/Cas9-mediated targeted mutagenesis. A series of chemical and nuclear magnetic resonance analyses revealed that loss-of-function of Os4CL3 and Os4CL4 differently altered the composition of lignin polymer units. Loss of function of Os4CL3 induced marked reductions in the major guaiacyl and syringyl lignin units derived from both the conserved non-γ-p-coumaroylated and the grass-specific γ-p-coumaroylated monolignols, with more prominent reductions in guaiacyl units than in syringyl units. In contrast, the loss-of-function mutation to Os4CL4 primarily decreased the abundance of the non-γ-p-coumaroylated guaiacyl units. Loss-of-function of Os4CL4, but not of Os4CL3, reduced the grass-specific lignin-bound tricin units, indicating that Os4CL4 plays a key role not only in monolignol biosynthesis but also in the biosynthesis of tricin used for lignification. Further, the loss-of-function of Os4CL3 and Os4CL4 notably reduced cell-wall-bound ferulates, indicating their roles in cell wall feruloylation. Overall, this study demonstrates the overlapping but divergent roles of 4CL isoforms during the coordinated production of various lignin monomers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Osama Ahmed Afifi
- Research Institute for Sustainable Humanosphere (RISH), Kyoto University, Kyoto 611-0011, Japan
- Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University, Cairo 11884, Egypt
| | - Yuki Tobimatsu
- Research Institute for Sustainable Humanosphere (RISH), Kyoto University, Kyoto 611-0011, Japan
| | - Pui Ying Lam
- Center for Crossover Education, Graduate School of Engineering Science, Akita University, Akita 010-8502, Japan
| | - Andri Fadillah Martin
- Research Center for Genetic Engineering, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Bogor 16911, Indonesia
| | - Takuji Miyamoto
- Sakeology Center, Niigata University, Niigata 950-2181, Japan
| | - Yuriko Osakabe
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan
| | - Keishi Osakabe
- Faculty of Bioscience and Bioindustry, Tokushima University, Tokushima 770-8506, Japan
| | - Toshiaki Umezawa
- Research Institute for Sustainable Humanosphere (RISH), Kyoto University, Kyoto 611-0011, Japan
- Research Unit for Realization of Sustainable Society (RURSS), Kyoto University, Kyoto 611-0011, Japan
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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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6
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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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7
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de Vries L, Brouckaert M, Chanoca A, Kim H, Regner MR, Timokhin VI, Sun Y, De Meester B, Van Doorsselaere J, Goeminne G, Chiang VL, Wang JP, Ralph J, Morreel K, Vanholme R, Boerjan W. CRISPR-Cas9 editing of CAFFEOYL SHIKIMATE ESTERASE 1 and 2 shows their importance and partial redundancy in lignification in Populus tremula × P. alba. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2021; 19:2221-2234. [PMID: 34160888 PMCID: PMC8541784 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.13651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2021] [Revised: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Lignins are cell wall-located aromatic polymers that provide strength and hydrophobicity to woody tissues. Lignin monomers are synthesized via the phenylpropanoid pathway, wherein CAFFEOYL SHIKIMATE ESTERASE (CSE) converts caffeoyl shikimate into caffeic acid. Here, we explored the role of the two CSE homologs in poplar (Populus tremula × P. alba). Reporter lines showed that the expression conferred by both CSE1 and CSE2 promoters is similar. CRISPR-Cas9-generated cse1 and cse2 single mutants had a wild-type lignin level. Nevertheless, CSE1 and CSE2 are not completely redundant, as both single mutants accumulated caffeoyl shikimate. In contrast, the cse1 cse2 double mutants had a 35% reduction in lignin and associated growth penalty. The reduced-lignin content translated into a fourfold increase in cellulose-to-glucose conversion upon limited saccharification. Phenolic profiling of the double mutants revealed large metabolic shifts, including an accumulation of p-coumaroyl, 5-hydroxyferuloyl, feruloyl and sinapoyl shikimate, in addition to caffeoyl shikimate. This indicates that the CSEs have a broad substrate specificity, which was confirmed by in vitro enzyme kinetics. Taken together, our results suggest an alternative path within the phenylpropanoid pathway at the level of the hydroxycinnamoyl-shikimates, and show that CSE is a promising target to improve plants for the biorefinery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisanne de Vries
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and BioinformaticsGhent UniversityGhentBelgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems BiologyGhentBelgium
| | - Marlies Brouckaert
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and BioinformaticsGhent UniversityGhentBelgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems BiologyGhentBelgium
| | - Alexandra Chanoca
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and BioinformaticsGhent UniversityGhentBelgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems BiologyGhentBelgium
| | - Hoon Kim
- Department of Biochemistry, and U.S. Department of Energy Great Lakes Bioenergy Research CenterWisconsin Energy InstituteUniversity of Wisconsin‐MadisonMadisonWIUSA
| | - Matthew R. Regner
- Department of Biochemistry, and U.S. Department of Energy Great Lakes Bioenergy Research CenterWisconsin Energy InstituteUniversity of Wisconsin‐MadisonMadisonWIUSA
| | - Vitaliy I. Timokhin
- Department of Biochemistry, and U.S. Department of Energy Great Lakes Bioenergy Research CenterWisconsin Energy InstituteUniversity of Wisconsin‐MadisonMadisonWIUSA
| | - Yi Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and BreedingNortheast Forestry UniversityHarbinChina
| | - Barbara De Meester
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and BioinformaticsGhent UniversityGhentBelgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems BiologyGhentBelgium
| | | | - Geert Goeminne
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and BioinformaticsGhent UniversityGhentBelgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems BiologyGhentBelgium
- VIB Metabolomics CoreGhentBelgium
| | - Vincent L. Chiang
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and BreedingNortheast Forestry UniversityHarbinChina
- Forest Biotechnology GroupDepartment of Forestry and Environmental ResourcesNorth Carolina State UniversityRaleighNCUSA
- Department of Forest BiomaterialsNorth Carolina State UniversityRaleighNCUSA
| | - Jack P. Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and BreedingNortheast Forestry UniversityHarbinChina
- Forest Biotechnology GroupDepartment of Forestry and Environmental ResourcesNorth Carolina State UniversityRaleighNCUSA
| | - John Ralph
- Department of Biochemistry, and U.S. Department of Energy Great Lakes Bioenergy Research CenterWisconsin Energy InstituteUniversity of Wisconsin‐MadisonMadisonWIUSA
| | - Kris Morreel
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and BioinformaticsGhent UniversityGhentBelgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems BiologyGhentBelgium
| | - Ruben Vanholme
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and BioinformaticsGhent UniversityGhentBelgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems BiologyGhentBelgium
| | - Wout Boerjan
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and BioinformaticsGhent UniversityGhentBelgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems BiologyGhentBelgium
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8
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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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9
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Zheng M, Zhu C, Yang T, Qian J, Hsu YF. GSM2, a transaldolase, contributes to reactive oxygen species homeostasis in Arabidopsis. PLANT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2020; 104:39-53. [PMID: 32564178 DOI: 10.1007/s11103-020-01022-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2019] [Accepted: 06/10/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Plants are exposed to various environmental cues that lead to reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation. ROS production and detoxification are tightly regulated to maintain balance. Although studies of glucose (Glc) are always accompanied by ROS in animals, the role of Glc in respect of ROS in plants is unclear. We isolated gsm2 (Glc-hypersensitive mutant 2), a mutant with a notably chlorotic-cotyledon phenotype. The chloroplast-localized GSM2 was characterized as a transaldolase in the pentose phosphate pathway. With 3% Glc treatment, fewer or no thylakoids were observed in gsm2 cotyledon chloroplasts than in wild-type cotyledon chloroplasts, suggesting that GSM2 is required for chloroplast protection under stress. gsm2 also showed evaluated accumulation of ROS with 3% Glc treatment and was more sensitive to exogenous H2O2 than the wild type. Gene expression analysis of the antioxidant enzymes in gsm2 revealed that chloroplast damage to gsm2 cotyledons results from the accumulation of excessive ROS in response to Glc. Moreover, the addition of diphenyleneiodonium chloride or phenylalanine can rescue Glc-induced chlorosis in gsm2 cotyledons. This work suggests that GSM2 functions to maintain ROS balance in response to Glc during early seedling growth and sheds light on the relationship between Glc, the pentose phosphate pathway and ROS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Eco-Environments of Three Gorges Reservoir Region, Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Plant Resource Conservation and Germplasm Innovation, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Chunyan Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Eco-Environments of Three Gorges Reservoir Region, Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Plant Resource Conservation and Germplasm Innovation, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Tingting Yang
- Key Laboratory of Eco-Environments of Three Gorges Reservoir Region, Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Plant Resource Conservation and Germplasm Innovation, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Jie Qian
- Key Laboratory of Eco-Environments of Three Gorges Reservoir Region, Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Plant Resource Conservation and Germplasm Innovation, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Yi-Feng Hsu
- Key Laboratory of Eco-Environments of Three Gorges Reservoir Region, Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China.
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Plant Resource Conservation and Germplasm Innovation, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China.
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Chanoca A, de Vries L, Boerjan W. Lignin Engineering in Forest Trees. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2019; 10:912. [PMID: 31404271 PMCID: PMC6671871 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2019.00912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2019] [Accepted: 06/27/2019] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Wood is a renewable resource that is mainly composed of lignin and cell wall polysaccharides. The polysaccharide fraction is valuable as it can be converted into pulp and paper, or into fermentable sugars. On the other hand, the lignin fraction is increasingly being considered a valuable source of aromatic building blocks for the chemical industry. The presence of lignin in wood is one of the major recalcitrance factors in woody biomass processing, necessitating the need for harsh chemical treatments to degrade and extract it prior to the valorization of the cell wall polysaccharides, cellulose and hemicellulose. Over the past years, large research efforts have been devoted to engineering lignin amount and composition to reduce biomass recalcitrance toward chemical processing. We review the efforts made in forest trees, and compare results from greenhouse and field trials. Furthermore, we address the value and potential of CRISPR-based gene editing in lignin engineering and its integration in tree breeding programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Chanoca
- 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
| | - Wout Boerjan
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Ghent, Belgium
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11
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Xie H, Engle NL, Venketachalam S, Yoo CG, Barros J, Lecoultre M, Howard N, Li G, Sun L, Srivastava AC, Pattathil S, Pu Y, Hahn MG, Ragauskas AJ, Nelson RS, Dixon RA, Tschaplinski TJ, Blancaflor EB, Tang Y. Combining loss of function of FOLYLPOLYGLUTAMATE SYNTHETASE1 and CAFFEOYL- COA 3- O- METHYLTRANSFERASE1 for lignin reduction and improved saccharification efficiency in Arabidopsis thaliana. BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR BIOFUELS 2019; 12:108. [PMID: 31073332 PMCID: PMC6498598 DOI: 10.1186/s13068-019-1446-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2018] [Accepted: 04/20/2019] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Downregulation of genes involved in lignin biosynthesis and related biochemical pathways has been used as a strategy to improve biofuel production. Plant C1 metabolism provides the methyl units used for the methylation reactions carried out by two methyltransferases in the lignin biosynthetic pathway: caffeic acid 3-O-methyltransferase (COMT) and caffeoyl-CoA 3-O-methyltransferase (CCoAOMT). Mutations in these genes resulted in lower lignin levels and altered lignin compositions. Reduced lignin levels can also be achieved by mutations in the C1 pathway gene, folylpolyglutamate synthetase1 (FPGS1), in both monocotyledons and dicotyledons, indicating a link between the C1 and lignin biosynthetic pathways. To test if lignin content can be further reduced by combining genetic mutations in C1 metabolism and the lignin biosynthetic pathway, fpgs1ccoaomt1 double mutants were generated and functionally characterized. RESULTS Double fpgs1ccoaomt1 mutants had lower thioacidolysis lignin monomer yield and acetyl bromide lignin content than the ccoaomt1 or fpgs1 mutants and the plants themselves displayed no obvious long-term negative growth phenotypes. Moreover, extracts from the double mutants had dramatically improved enzymatic polysaccharide hydrolysis efficiencies than the single mutants: 15.1% and 20.7% higher than ccoaomt1 and fpgs1, respectively. The reduced lignin and improved sugar release of fpgs1ccoaomt1 was coupled with changes in cell-wall composition, metabolite profiles, and changes in expression of genes involved in cell-wall and lignin biosynthesis. CONCLUSION Our observations demonstrate that additional reduction in lignin content and improved sugar release can be achieved by simultaneous downregulation of a gene in the C1 (FPGS1) and lignin biosynthetic (CCOAOMT) pathways. These improvements in sugar accessibility were achieved without introducing unwanted long-term plant growth and developmental defects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongli Xie
- Noble Research Institute, LLC, 2510 Sam Noble Parkway, Ardmore, OK 73401 USA
- BioEnergy Science Center, United States Department of Energy, Oak Ridge, TN 37831 USA
| | - Nancy L. Engle
- Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831 USA
- BioEnergy Science Center, United States Department of Energy, Oak Ridge, TN 37831 USA
- The Center for Bioenergy Innovation, United States Department of Energy, Oak Ridge, TN 37831 USA
| | - Sivasankari Venketachalam
- Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, University of Georgia, 315 Riverbend Road, Athens, GA 30602 USA
- BioEnergy Science Center, United States Department of Energy, Oak Ridge, TN 37831 USA
- The Center for Bioenergy Innovation, United States Department of Energy, Oak Ridge, TN 37831 USA
| | - Chang Geun Yoo
- Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831 USA
- BioEnergy Science Center, United States Department of Energy, Oak Ridge, TN 37831 USA
- The Center for Bioenergy Innovation, United States Department of Energy, Oak Ridge, TN 37831 USA
| | - Jaime Barros
- BioDiscovery Institute and Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Texas, Denton, TX 76203 USA
- BioEnergy Science Center, United States Department of Energy, Oak Ridge, TN 37831 USA
- The Center for Bioenergy Innovation, United States Department of Energy, Oak Ridge, TN 37831 USA
| | - Mitch Lecoultre
- Noble Research Institute, LLC, 2510 Sam Noble Parkway, Ardmore, OK 73401 USA
- BioEnergy Science Center, United States Department of Energy, Oak Ridge, TN 37831 USA
| | - Nikki Howard
- Noble Research Institute, LLC, 2510 Sam Noble Parkway, Ardmore, OK 73401 USA
- BioEnergy Science Center, United States Department of Energy, Oak Ridge, TN 37831 USA
| | - Guifen Li
- Noble Research Institute, LLC, 2510 Sam Noble Parkway, Ardmore, OK 73401 USA
| | - Liang Sun
- Noble Research Institute, LLC, 2510 Sam Noble Parkway, Ardmore, OK 73401 USA
| | - Avinash C. Srivastava
- Noble Research Institute, LLC, 2510 Sam Noble Parkway, Ardmore, OK 73401 USA
- BioEnergy Science Center, United States Department of Energy, Oak Ridge, TN 37831 USA
| | - Sivakumar Pattathil
- Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, University of Georgia, 315 Riverbend Road, Athens, GA 30602 USA
- BioEnergy Science Center, United States Department of Energy, Oak Ridge, TN 37831 USA
| | - Yunqiao Pu
- Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831 USA
- BioEnergy Science Center, United States Department of Energy, Oak Ridge, TN 37831 USA
- The Center for Bioenergy Innovation, United States Department of Energy, Oak Ridge, TN 37831 USA
| | - Michael G. Hahn
- Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, University of Georgia, 315 Riverbend Road, Athens, GA 30602 USA
- BioEnergy Science Center, United States Department of Energy, Oak Ridge, TN 37831 USA
- The Center for Bioenergy Innovation, United States Department of Energy, Oak Ridge, TN 37831 USA
| | - Arthur J. Ragauskas
- Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831 USA
- BioEnergy Science Center, United States Department of Energy, Oak Ridge, TN 37831 USA
- The Center for Bioenergy Innovation, United States Department of Energy, Oak Ridge, TN 37831 USA
| | - Richard S. Nelson
- Noble Research Institute, LLC, 2510 Sam Noble Parkway, Ardmore, OK 73401 USA
- BioEnergy Science Center, United States Department of Energy, Oak Ridge, TN 37831 USA
| | - Richard A. Dixon
- BioDiscovery Institute and Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Texas, Denton, TX 76203 USA
- BioEnergy Science Center, United States Department of Energy, Oak Ridge, TN 37831 USA
- The Center for Bioenergy Innovation, United States Department of Energy, Oak Ridge, TN 37831 USA
| | - Timothy J. Tschaplinski
- Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831 USA
- BioEnergy Science Center, United States Department of Energy, Oak Ridge, TN 37831 USA
- The Center for Bioenergy Innovation, United States Department of Energy, Oak Ridge, TN 37831 USA
| | - Elison B. Blancaflor
- Noble Research Institute, LLC, 2510 Sam Noble Parkway, Ardmore, OK 73401 USA
- BioEnergy Science Center, United States Department of Energy, Oak Ridge, TN 37831 USA
| | - Yuhong Tang
- Noble Research Institute, LLC, 2510 Sam Noble Parkway, Ardmore, OK 73401 USA
- BioEnergy Science Center, United States Department of Energy, Oak Ridge, TN 37831 USA
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