The CCoAOMT1 gene from jute (Corchorus capsularis L.) is involved in lignin biosynthesis in Arabidopsis thaliana

The Caffeoyl-CoA 3-O-methyltransferase (CCoAOMT) is a key enzyme in lignin biosynthesis in plants. In this study we cloned the full-length cDNA of the Caffeoyl-CoA 3-O-methyltransferase (CCoAOMT) gene from jute using homology clone (primers were designed according to the sequence of CCoAOMT gene of other plants), and a modified RACE technique, subsequently named “CcCCoAOMT1”. Bioinformatic analyses showed that the gene is a member of the CCoAOMT gene family. Real-time PCR analysis revealed that the CcCCoAOMT1 gene is constitutively expressed in all tissues, and the expression level was greatest in stem, followed by stem bark, roots and leaves. In order to understand this gene's function, we transformed it into Arabidopsis thaliana; integration (one insertion site) was confirmed following PCR and southern hybridization. The over-expression of CcCCoAOMT1 in these transgenic A.thaliana plants resulted in increased plant height and silique length relative to non-transgenic plants. Perhaps the most important finding was that the transgenic Arabidopsis plants contained more lignin (20.44–21.26%) than did control plants (17.56%), clearly suggesting an important role of CcCCoAOMT1 gene in lignin biosynthesis. These data are important for the success of efforts to reduce jute lignin content (thereby increasing fiber quality) via CcCCoAOMT1 gene inhibition.     

Downregulation of Cinnamyl Alcohol Dehydrogenase (CAD) Leads to Improved Saccharification Efficiency in Switchgrass

The bioconversion of carbohydrates in the herbaceous bioenergy crop, switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.), is limited by the associated lignins in the biomass. The cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase (CAD) gene encodes a key enzyme which catalyzes the last step of lignin monomer biosynthesis. Transgenic switchgrass plants were produced with a CAD RNAi gene construct under the control of the maize ubiquitin promoter. The transgenic lines showed reduced CAD expression levels, reduced enzyme activities, reduced lignin content, and altered lignin composition. The modification of lignin biosynthesis resulted in improved sugar release and forage digestibility. Significant increases of saccharification efficiency were obtained in most of the transgenic lines with or without acid pretreatment. A negative correlation between lignin content and sugar release was found among these transgenic switchgrass lines. The transgenic materials have the potential to allow for improved efficiency of cellulosic ethanol production.     

叶桉COMT和CCoAOMT基因定向调控木质素单体合成的烟草转化研究*

利用烟草遗传转化体系,研究叶桉(Eucalyptus urophylla)咖啡酸氧甲基转移酶基因(EuCOMT)和咖啡酰CoA氧甲基转移酶基因(EuCCoAOMT)对木质素单体合成的定向调控效果。     

Xylem-specific expression of a GRP1.8 promoter::4CL gene construct in transgenic tobacco

Lignin is a complex aromatic polymer of vascular plants that provides mechanical strength to the stem and protects cellulose fibres from chemical and biological degradation. 4-Coumarate:CoA ligases (EC 6.2.1.12) are key enzymes for the biosynthetic pathway of monolignols which is an important complex aromatic polymer for lignin biosynthesis and tree growth. Recently, 4-coumarate:CoA ligase has been used as exogenous gene in transgenic plants to genetically modify the lignin biosynthesis pathway. Since most lignin is produced in the vascular cells, a tissue-specific-expressed promoter in the vascular cell would be important and useful to change and modify the content of lignin. Here we report the existence of a promoter of GRP1.8 (the glycine-rich protein 1.8) in Sopho japonica L. (GenBank accession number AF250149) and studies on its function in transgenic tobacco. The promoter activity was analyzed in transgenic tobacco plants by histochemical staining of GUS gene expression driven by a 613-bp sjGRP1.8p promoter sequence. In sjGRP1.8p-GUS transgenic plants, intense GUS staining was detected in the xylem of the stem. To further investigate the regulation of the tissue-specific expression of the 4CL1 gene, we analyzed the activity of the 4CL1 gene which is sense orientated with the sjGRP1.8p promoter in transgenic tobacco. The Pto4CL1 gene was expressed in the stem of transgenic tobacco. The activity of the 4CL1 enzyme was increased 1–2-fold in the stem but not increased in the leaves of transgenic tobacco. In comparison with the control plants, the content of lignin was increased 25% in the stem but there was no increase in the leaves of transgenic tobacco.     

UGPase和反义4CL基因对转基因烟草纤维素和木质素合成的调控

用根癌农杆菌介导法将源于紫穗槐的尿苷二磷酸葡萄糖焦磷酸化酶（UGPase）基因、反义4-香豆酸辅酶A连接酶（4CL）基因以及两者的双价基因分别转移至烟草中。PCR和Southern杂交检测证实外源基因已整合到转基因烟草基因组中。测定全纤维素和Klason木质素含量的结果显示,增强UGPase基因的表达可提高转基因植株的纤维素含量,但对木质素含量没有影响;抑制4CL基因的表达可显著降低转基因植株的木质素含量,但对纤维素含量没有影响;转移双价基因的转基因植株中纤维素含量增加而木质素含量降低。     

Antisense-overexpression of the MsCOMT gene induces changes in lignin and total phenol contents in transgenic tobacco plants

Initially, we isolated the caffeic acid O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene from Miscanthus sinensis (accession number HM062766.1). Next, we produced transgenic tobacco plants with down-regulated COMT gene expression to study its control of total phenol and lignin content and to perform morphological analysis. These transgenic plants were found to have reduced PAL and ascorbate peroxidases expression, which are related to the phenylpropanoid pathway and antioxidant activity. The MsCOMT-down-regulated plants had decreased total lignin in the leaves and stem compared with control plants. Reduced flavonol concentrations were confirmed in MsCOMT-down-regulated transgenic plants. We also observed a morphological difference, with reduced plant cell number in transgenic plants harboring antisense MsCOMT. The transgenic tobacco plants with down-regulated COMT gene expression demonstrate that COMT plays a crucial role related to controlling lignin and phenol content in plants. Also, COMT activity may be related to flavonoid production in the plant lignin pathway.     

Simultaneous regulation of F5H in COMT‐RNAi transgenic switchgrass alters effects of COMT suppression on syringyl lignin biosynthesis

Ferulate 5‐hydroxylase (F5H) catalyses the hydroxylation of coniferyl alcohol and coniferaldehyde for the biosynthesis of syringyl (S) lignin in angiosperms. However, the coordinated effects of F5H with caffeic acid O‐methyltransferase (COMT) on the metabolic flux towards S units are largely unknown. We concomitantly regulated F5H expression in COMT‐down‐regulated transgenic switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) lines and studied the coordination of F5H and COMT in lignin biosynthesis. Down‐regulation of F5H in COMT‐RNAi transgenic switchgrass plants further impeded S lignin biosynthesis and, consequently, increased guaiacyl (G) units and reduced 5‐OH G units. Conversely, overexpression of F5H in COMT‐RNAi transgenic plants reduced G units and increased 5‐OH units, whereas the deficiency of S lignin biosynthesis was partially compensated or fully restored, depending on the extent of COMT down‐regulation in switchgrass. Moreover, simultaneous regulation of F5H and COMT expression had different effects on cell wall digestibility of switchgrass without biomass loss. Our results indicate that up‐regulation and down‐regulation of F5H expression, respectively, have antagonistic and synergistic effects on the reduction in S lignin resulting from COMT suppression. The coordinated effects between lignin genes should be taken into account in future studies aimed at cell wall bioengineering.     

Field‐grown transgenic switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) with altered lignin does not affect soil chemistry,microbiology, and carbon storage potential

Cell wall recalcitrance poses a major challenge on cellulosic biofuel production from feedstocks such as switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.). As lignin is a known contributor of recalcitrance, transgenic switchgrass plants with altered lignin have been produced by downregulation of caffeic acid O‐methyltransferase (COMT). Field trials of COMT‐downregulated plants previously demonstrated improved ethanol conversion with no adverse agronomic effects. However, the rhizosphere impacts of altering lignin in plants are unknown. We hypothesized that changing plant lignin composition may affect residue degradation in soils, ultimately altering soil processes. The objective of this study was to evaluate effects of two independent lines of COMT‐downregulated switchgrass plants on soils in terms of chemistry, microbiology, and carbon cycling when grown in the field. Over the first two years of establishment, we observed no significant differences between transgenic and control plants in terms of soil pH or the total concentrations of 19 elements. An analysis of soil bacterial communities via high‐throughput 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing revealed no effects of transgenic plants on bacterial diversity, richness, or community composition. We also did not observe a change in the capacity for soil carbon storage: There was no significant effect on soil respiration or soil organic matter. After five years of establishment, δ¹³C of plant roots, leaves, and soils was measured and an isotopic mixing model used to estimate that 11.2 to 14.5% of soil carbon originated from switchgrass. Switchgrass‐contributed carbon was not significantly different between transgenic and control plants. Overall, our results indicate that over the short term (two and five years), lignin modification in switchgrass through manipulation of COMT expression does not have an adverse effect on soils in terms of total elemental composition, bacterial community structure and diversity, and capacity for carbon storage.     

ZmMYB31 directly represses maize lignin genes and redirects the phenylpropanoid metabolic flux

Few regulators of phenylpropanoids have been identified in monocots having potential as biofuel crops. Here we demonstrate the role of the maize (Zea mays) R2R3-MYB factor ZmMYB31 in the control of the phenylpropanoid pathway. We determined its in vitro consensus DNA-binding sequence as ACC(T)/(A) ACC, and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) established that it interacts with two lignin gene promoters in vivo. To explore the potential of ZmMYB31 as a regulator of phenylpropanoids in other plants, its role in the regulation of the phenylpropanoid pathway was further investigated in Arabidopsis thaliana. ZmMYB31 downregulates several genes involved in the synthesis of monolignols and transgenic plants are dwarf and show a significantly reduced lignin content with unaltered polymer composition. We demonstrate that these changes increase cell wall degradability of the transgenic plants. In addition, ZmMYB31 represses the synthesis of sinapoylmalate, resulting in plants that are more sensitive to UV irradiation, and induces several stress-related proteins. Our results suggest that, as an indirect effect of repression of lignin biosynthesis, transgenic plants redirect carbon flux towards the biosynthesis of anthocyanins. Thus, ZmMYB31 can be considered a good candidate for the manipulation of lignin biosynthesis in biotechnological applications.     

Downregulation of high-isoelectric-point extracellular superoxide dismutase mediates alterations in the metabolism of reactive oxygen species and developmental disturbances in hybrid aspen

Transgenic hybrid aspen (Populus tremula L. x P. tremuloides Michx.) plants expressing a high-isoelectric-point superoxide dismutase (hipI-SOD) gene in antisense orientation were generated to investigate its function. Immunolocalization studies showed the enzyme to be localized extracellularly, in the secondary cell wall of xylem vessels and phloem fibers. The antisense lines of hipI-SOD exhibited a distinct phenotype; growth rate was reduced, stems were thinner and leaves smaller than in wild-type (WT) plants. The abundance of hipI-SOD was reduced in the bark and xylem of plants from these antisense lines. The vascular tissue of transgenic lines became lignified earlier than in WT plants and also showed an increased accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Xylem fibers and vessels were shorter and thinner in the transgenic lines than in WT plants. The total phenolic content was enhanced in the antisense lines. Furthermore, microarray analysis indicated that several enzymes involved in cell signaling, lignin biosynthesis and stress responses were upregulated in apical vascular tissues of transgenic plants. The upregulation of selected genes involved in lignin biosynthesis was also verified by real-time PCR. The results suggest that, in the transgenic plants, a premature transition into maturation occurs and the process is discussed in terms of the effects of increased accumulation of ROS due to reduced expression of hipI-SOD during development and differentiation.     

Establishment of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Miscanthus sinensis</Emphasis> with decreased lignin biosynthesis by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Agrobacterium</Emphasis>–mediated transformation using antisense <Emphasis Type="Italic">COMT</Emphasis> gene

This study was to determine a transformation system for Miscanthus sinensis, and to optimize factors and conditions required for expression of an antisense caffeic acid O-methyltransferase gene in the M. sinensis (MsCOMT-AS). Transformation of callus derived from seeds and immature inflorescences of M. sinensis was established by using Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain LBA4404 harboring a binary vector pMBP1. In order to establish the stable transformation system, several transformation factors such as explant type, strain, co-culture periods, acetosyringone concentration, and selective markers were assessed. In this study, seven putative transgenic plants were obtained from callus transformation and plantlet regeneration. Various tests including PCR analysis and RT-PCR were used to detect the transgenic insert. The transgenic plants were also characterized for their agronomic and morphological characteristics, expression of MsCOMT-AS gene, and variation in lignocellulosic content. Biomass related traits such as plant height, number of leaves, length of leaf, stem diameter, fresh weight, dry weight, and cell size of the control plants were superior to transgenic plants. Total lignin content of transgenic plants was lower than that of the control plant due to reduced caffeic acid O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene expression related to lignin production. Cellulose and hemicellulose content in transgenic plants were not increased. Variation in cellulose and hemicellulose content had no correlation with variation in lignin content of transgenic plants. In conclusion, transgenic M. sinensis was obtained with down-regulated COMT gene. Lignin synthesis was decreased what offers possibility of crop modification for facilitated biofuel production.     

小麦盐华南象草PpCAD基因的亚细胞定位及其在转基因烟草中的异源表达迫相关基因的克隆与表达分析

该研究根据已克隆的华南象草(Pennisetum purpureum cv.Huanan)肉桂醇脱氢酶(CAD)基因PpCAD的cDNA序列,构建亚细胞定位载体pAN580-PpCAD,用PEG介导法转化象草原生质体,以探究PpCAD蛋白在细胞内的定位;同时构建植物过表达载体pBA002-PpCAD,通过农杆菌介导法在烟草中异源表达,以研究PpCAD基因与植物木质素合成的关系。结果显示:(1)PpCAD定位在象草原生质体的细胞质内;(2)过表达载体pBA002-PpCAD转化烟草后获得27株转基因烟草,其中25株PCR鉴定为阳性;(3)半定量RT-PCR检测6株转基因烟草后发现,PpCAD基因在不同植株的表达量存在差异,通过Southern杂交检测后发现该差异与目的基因插入的拷贝数有关;(4)6株转基因烟草和野生型烟草表型上没有明显差异,除目的基因多拷贝插入的植株OEC6外,木质素含量有不同程度的提高,最高比野生型提高了56.50%。研究表明,PpCAD是一个细胞质蛋白,在烟草中过表达PpCAD能够提高植株木质素含量,表明PpCAD基因参与了植物的木质素合成,可用于象草的木质素调控研究。     

白桦反义CCoAOMT基因调控木质素生物合成

白桦是我国北方重要的造林树种,但其中的高木质素含量严重制约了它作为造纸资源植物的开发利用。本文利用RACE技术获得了白桦咖啡酰辅酶A-3-O-甲基转移酶（CCoAOMT）基因全长ORF序列,并构建了白桦CCoAOMT基因的反义表达载体,通过农杆菌介导法将其导入到白桦中。PCR检测表明反义CCoAOMT基因已整合到白桦的基因组中。对转化植株的半定量PCR检测显示转基因株系的CCoAOMT基因表达量下降;Wiesner染色发现,与野生型相比,转基因植株木质素含量有所下降。对七年生的转基因白桦和野生型对照进行了化学成分分析,结果表明转基因白桦的苯醇抽提物和Klason木质素显著减少,聚戊糖含量升高。上述结果暗示BpCCoAOMT基因参与白桦木质素的合成,反义表达该基因后木质素含量减少,更易于去除。白桦CCoAOMT基因对木质素的合成起重要作用,这为培育低木质素含量的制浆新品种白桦奠定了基础。     

Time Course Field Analysis of COMT-Downregulated Switchgrass: Lignification,Recalcitrance, and Rust Susceptibility

Modifying plant cell walls by manipulating lignin biosynthesis can improve biofuel yields from lignocellulosic crops. For example, transgenic switchgrass lines with downregulated expression of caffeic acid O-methyltransferase, a lignin biosynthetic enzyme, produce up to 38 % more ethanol than controls. The aim of the present study was to understand cell wall lignification over the second and third growing seasons of COMT-downregulated field-grown switchgrass. COMT gene expression, lignification, and cell wall recalcitrance were assayed for two independent transgenic lines at monthly intervals. Switchgrass rust (Puccinia emaculata) incidence was also tracked across the seasons. Trends in lignification over time differed between the 2 years. In 2012, sampling was initiated in mid-growing season on reproductive-stage plants and there was little variation in the lignin content of all lines (COMT-downregulated and control) over time. COMT-downregulated lines maintained 11–16 % less lignin, 33–40 % lower S/G (syringyl-to-guaiacyl) ratios, and 15–42 % higher sugar release relative to controls for all time points. In 2013, sampling was initiated earlier in the season on elongation-stage plants and the lignin content of all lines steadily increased over time, while sugar release expectedly decreased. S/G ratios increased in non-transgenic control plants as biomass accumulated over the season, while remaining relatively stable across the season in the COMT-downregulated lines. Differences in cell wall chemistry between transgenic and non-transgenic lines were not apparent until plants transitioned to reproductive growth in mid-season, after which the cell walls of COMT-downregulated plants exhibited phenotypes consistent with what was observed in 2012. There were no differences in rust damage between transgenics and controls at any time point. These results provide relevant fundamental insights into the process of lignification in a maturing field-grown biofuel feedstock with downregulated lignin biosynthesis.     

The suppression of the glutelin storage protein gene in transgenic rice seeds results in a higher yield of recombinant protein

Glutelin is a major seed storage protein, accounting for 60?C80?% of the total endosperm protein content in rice. To test whether we could augment the expression of an introduced recombinant protein in rice by suppressing the glutelin gene, we generated transgenic glutelin RNAi (glu RNAi) rice seeds. RNA gel blot analyses confirmed that the endogenous glutelin gene was severely suppressed in these transgenic rice lines. RT-PCR analysis further revealed that all the members of glutelin multigene family were downregulated. Transgenic glu RNAi rice seeds expressing a recombinant red fluorescent protein (RFP) showed stronger fluorescence than seeds transformed with the RFP gene only. Western blot analysis further revealed that the relative accumulation of RFP in glu RNAi seeds was twofold higher than that in the RFP-only transgenic seeds. These results suggest that RNAi targeting of an endogenous storage protein could be of great utility in obtaining higher transgene expression in genetically engineered rice and other plant lines.     

Identification and suppression of the p‐coumaroyl CoA:hydroxycinnamyl alcohol transferase in Zea mays L.

Grasses, such as Zea mays L. (maize), contain relatively high levels of p ‐ coumarates (pCA) within their cell walls. Incorporation of pCA into cell walls is believed to be due to a hydroxycinnamyl transferase that couples pCA to monolignols. To understand the role of pCA in maize development, the p ‐ coumaroyl CoA:hydroxycinnamyl alcohol transferase (pCAT) was isolated and purified from maize stems. Purified pCAT was subjected to partial trypsin digestion, and peptides were sequenced by tandem mass spectrometry. TBLASTN analysis of the acquired peptide sequences identified a single full‐length maize cDNA clone encoding all the peptide sequences obtained from the purified enzyme. The cDNA clone was obtained and used to generate an RNAi construct for suppressing pCAT expression in maize. Here we describe the effects of suppression of pCAT in maize. Primary screening of transgenic maize seedling leaves using a new rapid analytical platform was used to identify plants with decreased amounts of pCA. Using this screening method, mature leaves from fully developed plants were analyzed, confirming reduced pCA levels throughout plant development. Complete analysis of isolated cell walls from mature transgenic stems and leaves revealed that lignin levels did not change, but pCA levels decreased and the lignin composition was altered. Transgenic plants with the lowest levels of pCA had decreased levels of syringyl units in the lignin. Thus, altering the levels of pCAT expression in maize leads to altered lignin composition, but does not appear to alter the total amount of lignin present in the cell walls.     

Overexpression of the Wheat Expansin Gene TaEXPA2 Improved Seed Production and Drought Tolerance in Transgenic Tobacco Plants

Expansins are cell wall proteins that are grouped into two main families, α-expansins and β-expansins, and they are implicated in the control of cell extension via the disruption of hydrogen bonds between cellulose and matrix glucans. TaEXPA2 is an α-expansin gene identified in wheat. Based on putative cis-regulatory elements in the TaEXPA2 promoter sequence and the expression pattern induced when polyethylene glycol (PEG) is used to mimic water stress, we hypothesized that TaEXPA2 is involved in plant drought tolerance and plant development. Through transient expression of 35S::TaEXPA2-GFP in onion epidermal cells, TaEXPA2 was localized to the cell wall. Constitutive expression of TaEXPA2 in tobacco improved seed production by increasing capsule number, not seed size, without having any effect on plant growth patterns. The transgenic tobacco exhibited a significantly greater tolerance to water-deficiency stress than did wild-type (WT) plants. We found that under drought stress, the transgenic plants maintained a better water status. The accumulated content of osmotic adjustment substances, such as proline, in TaEXPA2 transgenic plants was greater than that in WT plants. Transgenic plants also displayed greater antioxidative competence as indicated by their lower malondialdehyde (MDA) content, relative electrical conductivity, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation than did WT plants. This result suggests that the transgenic plants suffer less damage from ROS under drought conditions. The activities of some antioxidant enzymes as well as expression levels of several genes encoding key antioxidant enzymes were higher in the transgenic plants than in the WT plants under drought stress. Collectively, our results suggest that ectopic expression of the wheat expansin gene TaEXPA2 improves seed production and drought tolerance in transgenic tobacco plants.