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Zhu Y, Li L. Wood of trees: Cellular structure, molecular formation, and genetic engineering. JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE PLANT BIOLOGY 2024; 66:443-467. [PMID: 38032010 DOI: 10.1111/jipb.13589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
Wood is an invaluable asset to human society due to its renewable nature, making it suitable for both sustainable energy production and material manufacturing. Additionally, wood derived from forest trees plays a crucial role in sequestering a significant portion of the carbon dioxide fixed during photosynthesis by terrestrial plants. Nevertheless, with the expansion of the global population and ongoing industrialization, forest coverage has been substantially decreased, resulting in significant challenges for wood production and supply. Wood production practices have changed away from natural forests toward plantation forests. Thus, understanding the underlying genetic mechanisms of wood formation is the foundation for developing high-quality, fast-growing plantation trees. Breeding ideal forest trees for wood production using genetic technologies has attracted the interest of many. Tremendous studies have been carried out in recent years on the molecular, genetic, and cell-biological mechanisms of wood formation, and considerable progress and findings have been achieved. These studies and findings indicate enormous possibilities and prospects for tree improvement. This review will outline and assess the cellular and molecular mechanisms of wood formation, as well as studies on genetically improving forest trees, and address future development prospects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingying Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-ecosystems and College of Ecology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Laigeng Li
- National Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200032, China
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2
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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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Xie Z, Gui J, Zhong Y, Li B, Sun J, Shen J, Li L. Screening genome-editing knockouts reveals the receptor-like kinase ASX role in regulations of secondary xylem development in Populus. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2023; 238:1972-1985. [PMID: 36922397 DOI: 10.1111/nph.18881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
In trees, secondary xylem development is essential for the growth of perennial stem increments. Many signals regulate the process of development, but our knowledge of the molecular components involved in signal transduction is still limited. In this study, we identified Attenuation of Secondary Xylem (ASX) knockouts by screening genome-editing knockouts of xylem-expressed receptor-like kinases (RLKs) in Populus. The ASX role in secondary xylem development in Populus was discovered using biochemical, cellular, and genomic analyses. The ASX knockout plants had abnormal secondary stem growth but had little effect on shoot apical primary growth. ASX and SOMATIC EMBRYOGENESIS RECEPTOR KINASE (SERK)2/4 were co-precipitated in developing xylem. Through their interaction, ASX is phosphorylated by SERK. Transcriptome analysis of developing xylem revealed that ASX deficiency inhibited the transcriptional activity of genes involved in xylem differentiation and secondary cell wall formation. By forming a complex, ASX and SERK may function as a signaling module for signal transduction required in the regulation of secondary xylem development in trees. This study shows that ASX, which encodes a RLKs, is required for secondary xylem development and sheds light on regulatory signals found in tree stem secondary growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi Xie
- National Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200032, China
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Jinshan Gui
- National Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200032, China
- State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, 311300, China
| | - Yu Zhong
- National Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200032, China
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Bo Li
- National Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200032, China
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Jiayan Sun
- National Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Junhui Shen
- National Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Laigeng Li
- National Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200032, China
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Lv P, Wan J, Zhang C, Hina A, Al Amin GM, Begum N, Zhao T. Unraveling the Diverse Roles of Neglected Genes Containing Domains of Unknown Function (DUFs): Progress and Perspective. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24044187. [PMID: 36835600 PMCID: PMC9966272 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24044187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Domain of unknown function (DUF) is a general term for many uncharacterized domains with two distinct features: relatively conservative amino acid sequence and unknown function of the domain. In the Pfam 35.0 database, 4795 (24%) gene families belong to the DUF type, yet, their functions remain to be explored. This review summarizes the characteristics of the DUF protein families and their functions in regulating plant growth and development, generating responses to biotic and abiotic stress, and other regulatory roles in plant life. Though very limited information is available about these proteins yet, by taking advantage of emerging omics and bioinformatic tools, functional studies of DUF proteins could be utilized in future molecular studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peiyun Lv
- National Center for Soybean Improvement, Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetics and Breeding for Soybean, Ministry of Agriculture, State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Jinlu Wan
- National Center for Soybean Improvement, Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetics and Breeding for Soybean, Ministry of Agriculture, State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Chunting Zhang
- National Center for Soybean Improvement, Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetics and Breeding for Soybean, Ministry of Agriculture, State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Aiman Hina
- National Center for Soybean Improvement, Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetics and Breeding for Soybean, Ministry of Agriculture, State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - G M Al Amin
- Department of Botany, Jagannath University, Dhaka 1100, Bangladesh
| | - Naheeda Begum
- National Center for Soybean Improvement, Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetics and Breeding for Soybean, Ministry of Agriculture, State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
- Correspondence: (N.B.); (T.Z.)
| | - Tuanjie Zhao
- National Center for Soybean Improvement, Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetics and Breeding for Soybean, Ministry of Agriculture, State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
- Correspondence: (N.B.); (T.Z.)
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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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Cao S, Huang C, Luo L, Zheng S, Zhong Y, Sun J, Gui J, Li L. Cell-Specific Suppression of 4-Coumarate-CoA Ligase Gene Reveals Differential Effect of Lignin on Cell Physiological Function in Populus. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2020; 11:589729. [PMID: 33281849 PMCID: PMC7705072 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2020.589729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Lignin is a main component of the secondary cell wall in vessels and fibers of xylem tissue. However, the significance of lignin in cell physiology during plant growth is unclear. In this study, we generated lignin-modified Populus via cell-specific downregulation of the 4-coumarate-CoA ligase gene (4CL). The transgenic plants with selective lignin modification in vessel elements or fiber cells allowed us to investigate how lignin affects the physiology of vessel or fiber cells in relation to plant growth. Results showed that vessel-specific suppression of lignin biosynthesis resulted in deformed vessels and normal fibers, while fiber-specific suppression of lignin biosynthesis led to less-lignified fibers and normal vessels. Further analyses revealed that the efficiency of long distance water transport was severely affected in transgenics with vessel-specific lignin modification, while minimal effect was detected in transgenics with fiber-specific lignin modification. Vessel-specific lignin reduction led to high susceptibility to drought stress and poor growth in field, likely due to vessel defects in long distance transport of water. The distinct physiological significance of lignin in different cell types provides insights into the selective modification of lignin for improvement of lignocellulosic biomass utilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shumin Cao
- National Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Cheng Huang
- National Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Laifu Luo
- National Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Shuai Zheng
- National Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yu Zhong
- National Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jiayan Sun
- National Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Jinshan Gui
- National Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Jinshan Gui,
| | - Laigeng Li
- National Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- Laigeng Li,
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Gui J, Luo L, Zhong Y, Sun J, Umezawa T, Li L. Phosphorylation of LTF1, an MYB Transcription Factor in Populus, Acts as a Sensory Switch Regulating Lignin Biosynthesis in Wood Cells. MOLECULAR PLANT 2019; 12:1325-1337. [PMID: 31145998 DOI: 10.1016/j.molp.2019.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2019] [Revised: 05/01/2019] [Accepted: 05/20/2019] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Lignin is specifically deposited in plant secondary cell walls, and initiation of lignin biosynthesis is regulated by a variety of developmental and environmental signals. However, the mechanisms governing the regulation of lignin biosynthesis remain to be elucidated. In this study, we identified a lignin biosynthesis-associated transcription factor (LTF) from Populus, LTF1, which binds the promoter of a key lignin biosynthetic gene encoding 4-coumarate-CoA ligase (4CL). We showed that LTF1 in its unphosphorylated state functions as a regulator restraining lignin biosynthesis. When LTF1 becomes phosphorylated by PdMPK6 in response to external stimuli such as wounding, it undergoes degradation through a proteasome pathway, resulting in activation of lignification. Expression of a phosphorylation-null mutant version of LTF1 led to stable protein accumulation and persistent attenuation of lignification in wood cells. Taken together, our study reveals a mechanism whereby LTF1 phosphorylation acts as a sensory switch to regulate lignin biosynthesis in response to environmental stimuli. The discovery of novel modulators and mechanisms modifying lignin biosynthesis has important implications for improving the utilization of cell-wall biomass.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinshan Gui
- National Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics and CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China.
| | - Laifu Luo
- National Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics and CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China; School of Life Science, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Yu Zhong
- National Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics and CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China; University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jiayan Sun
- National Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics and CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Toshiaki Umezawa
- Research Institute for Sustainable Humanosphere, Kyoto University, Uji, Kyoto 611-0011, Japan
| | - Laigeng Li
- National Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics and CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China.
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Wierzbicki MP, Maloney V, Mizrachi E, Myburg AA. Xylan in the Middle: Understanding Xylan Biosynthesis and Its Metabolic Dependencies Toward Improving Wood Fiber for Industrial Processing. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2019; 10:176. [PMID: 30858858 PMCID: PMC6397879 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2019.00176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2018] [Accepted: 02/04/2019] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Lignocellulosic biomass, encompassing cellulose, lignin and hemicellulose in plant secondary cell walls (SCWs), is the most abundant source of renewable materials on earth. Currently, fast-growing woody dicots such as Eucalyptus and Populus trees are major lignocellulosic (wood fiber) feedstocks for bioproducts such as pulp, paper, cellulose, textiles, bioplastics and other biomaterials. Processing wood for these products entails separating the biomass into its three main components as efficiently as possible without compromising yield. Glucuronoxylan (xylan), the main hemicellulose present in the SCWs of hardwood trees carries chemical modifications that are associated with SCW composition and ultrastructure, and affect the recalcitrance of woody biomass to industrial processing. In this review we highlight the importance of xylan properties for industrial wood fiber processing and how gaining a greater understanding of xylan biosynthesis, specifically xylan modification, could yield novel biotechnology approaches to reduce recalcitrance or introduce novel processing traits. Altering xylan modification patterns has recently become a focus of plant SCW studies due to early findings that altered modification patterns can yield beneficial biomass processing traits. Additionally, it has been noted that plants with altered xylan composition display metabolic differences linked to changes in precursor usage. We explore the possibility of using systems biology and systems genetics approaches to gain insight into the coordination of SCW formation with other interdependent biological processes. Acetyl-CoA, s-adenosylmethionine and nucleotide sugars are precursors needed for xylan modification, however, the pathways which produce metabolic pools during different stages of fiber cell wall formation still have to be identified and their co-regulation during SCW formation elucidated. The crucial dependence on precursor metabolism provides an opportunity to alter xylan modification patterns through metabolic engineering of one or more of these interdependent pathways. The complexity of xylan biosynthesis and modification is currently a stumbling point, but it may provide new avenues for woody biomass engineering that are not possible for other biopolymers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Alexander A. Myburg
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
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Donev E, Gandla ML, Jönsson LJ, Mellerowicz EJ. Engineering Non-cellulosic Polysaccharides of Wood for the Biorefinery. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2018; 9:1537. [PMID: 30405672 PMCID: PMC6206411 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2018.01537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2018] [Accepted: 09/28/2018] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Non-cellulosic polysaccharides constitute approximately one third of usable woody biomass for human exploitation. In contrast to cellulose, these substances are composed of several different types of unit monosaccharides and their backbones are substituted by various groups. Their structural diversity and recent examples of their modification in transgenic plants and mutants suggest they can be targeted for improving wood-processing properties, thereby facilitating conversion of wood in a biorefinery setting. Critical knowledge on their structure-function relationship is slowly emerging, although our understanding of molecular interactions responsible for observed phenomena is still incomplete. This review: (1) provides an overview of structural features of major non-cellulosic polysaccharides of wood, (2) describes the fate of non-cellulosic polysaccharides during biorefinery processing, (3) shows how the non-cellulosic polysaccharides impact lignocellulose processing focused on yields of either sugars or polymers, and (4) discusses outlooks for the improvement of tree species for biorefinery by modifying the structure of non-cellulosic polysaccharides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evgeniy Donev
- Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Umeå, Sweden
| | | | | | - Ewa J. Mellerowicz
- Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Umeå, Sweden
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10
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Huang C, Zhang R, Gui J, Zhong Y, Li L. The Receptor-Like Kinase AtVRLK1 Regulates Secondary Cell Wall Thickening. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2018; 177:671-683. [PMID: 29678858 PMCID: PMC6001334 DOI: 10.1104/pp.17.01279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2017] [Accepted: 04/02/2018] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
During the growth and development of land plants, some specialized cells, such as tracheary elements, undergo secondary cell wall thickening. Secondary cell walls contain additional lignin, compared with primary cell walls, thus providing mechanical strength and potentially improving defenses against pathogens. However, the molecular mechanisms that initiate wall thickening are unknown. In this study, we identified an Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) leucine-rich repeat receptor-like kinase, encoded by AtVRLK1 (Vascular-Related Receptor-Like Kinase1), that is expressed specifically in cells undergoing secondary cell wall thickening. Suppression of AtVRLK1 expression resulted in a range of phenotypes that included retarded early elongation of the inflorescence stem, shorter fibers, slower root growth, and shorter flower filaments. In contrast, up-regulation of AtVRLK1 led to longer fiber cells, reduced secondary cell wall thickening in fiber and vessel cells, and defects in anther dehiscence. Molecular and cellular analyses showed that down-regulation of AtVRLK1 promoted secondary cell wall thickening and up-regulation of AtVRLK1 enhanced cell elongation and inhibited secondary cell wall thickening. We propose that AtVRLK1 functions as a signaling component in coordinating cell elongation and cell wall thickening during growth and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Huang
- National Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics and Chinese Academy of Sciences Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China, and University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Rui Zhang
- National Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics and Chinese Academy of Sciences Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China, and University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Jinshan Gui
- National Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics and Chinese Academy of Sciences Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China, and University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Yu Zhong
- National Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics and Chinese Academy of Sciences Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China, and University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Laigeng Li
- National Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics and Chinese Academy of Sciences Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China, and University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
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Hassan AS, Houston K, Lahnstein J, Shirley N, Schwerdt JG, Gidley MJ, Waugh R, Little A, Burton RA. A Genome Wide Association Study of arabinoxylan content in 2-row spring barley grain. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0182537. [PMID: 28771585 PMCID: PMC5542645 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0182537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2017] [Accepted: 07/19/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
In barley endosperm arabinoxylan (AX) is the second most abundant cell wall polysaccharide and in wheat it is the most abundant polysaccharide in the starchy endosperm walls of the grain. AX is one of the main contributors to grain dietary fibre content providing several health benefits including cholesterol and glucose lowering effects, and antioxidant activities. Due to its complex structural features, AX might also affect the downstream applications of barley grain in malting and brewing. Using a high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) method we quantified AX amounts in mature grain in 128 spring 2-row barley accessions. Amounts ranged from ~ 5.2 μg/g to ~ 9 μg/g. We used this data for a Genome Wide Association Study (GWAS) that revealed three significant quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with grain AX levels which passed a false discovery threshold (FDR) and are located on two of the seven barley chromosomes. Regions underlying the QTLs were scanned for genes likely to be involved in AX biosynthesis or turnover, and strong candidates, including glycosyltransferases from the GT43 and GT61 families and glycoside hydrolases from the GH10 family, were identified. Phylogenetic trees of selected gene families were built based on protein translations and were used to examine the relationship of the barley candidate genes to those in other species. Our data reaffirms the roles of existing genes thought to contribute to AX content, and identifies novel QTL (and candidate genes associated with them) potentially influencing the AX content of barley grain. One potential outcome of this work is the deployment of highly associated single nucleotide polymorphisms markers in breeding programs to guide the modification of AX abundance in barley grain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Saleh Hassan
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Plant Cell Walls, School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, University of Adelaide, Waite Campus, Glen Osmond, South Australia, Australia
| | - Kelly Houston
- The James Hutton Institute, Invergowrie, Dundee, Scotland
| | - Jelle Lahnstein
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Plant Cell Walls, School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, University of Adelaide, Waite Campus, Glen Osmond, South Australia, Australia
| | - Neil Shirley
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Plant Cell Walls, School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, University of Adelaide, Waite Campus, Glen Osmond, South Australia, Australia
| | - Julian G. Schwerdt
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Plant Cell Walls, School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, University of Adelaide, Waite Campus, Glen Osmond, South Australia, Australia
| | - Michael J. Gidley
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Plant Cell Walls, Centre for Nutrition and Food Sciences, Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - Robbie Waugh
- Division of Plant Sciences, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Invergowrie, Dundee, Scotland
| | - Alan Little
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Plant Cell Walls, School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, University of Adelaide, Waite Campus, Glen Osmond, South Australia, Australia
| | - Rachel A. Burton
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Plant Cell Walls, School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, University of Adelaide, Waite Campus, Glen Osmond, South Australia, Australia
- * E-mail:
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