Chlorogenic acid and its relation with lignin biosynthesis

• Grant number: 14/17831-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: December 01, 2014
• End date: February 15, 2019
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agronomy
• Agreement: Coordination of Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES)
• Principal Investigator: Paulo Mazzafera
• Grantee: Nathalia Volpi e Silva
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biologia (IB). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated scholarship(s): 16/15834-2 - CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing to modify lignin biosynthesis in Nicotiana tabacum, BE.EP.DR

Abstract

Phenylpropanoids are compounds derived from phenylalanine and they are involved in various aspects related to biotic and abiotic stress defense. One of phenylpropanoids present in most plants, and in some of which in considerable amount is chlorogenic acid (CGA). CGA biosynthesis is mediated by the enzyme quinate hydroxycinnamoyl transferase (HQT). Although it has not been proven yet, some studies have been suggesting that the CGAs pool could be related to the lignin biosynthesis in plants. Another enzyme, shikimate hydroxycinnamoyl transferase (HCT) appears to be involved both in the lignin biosynthetic pathway and in the CGAs route. As the HCT, HQT uses the p-coumaril CoA to form hydroxycinnamoyl shikimate or quinate hydroxycinnamoyl esters respectively. Furthermore, caffeoyl esterase enzyme shikimate (CSE) has been recently described as involved in the conversion of shikimate in caffeoyl caffeate, which is subsequently converted to caffeoyl CoA, in lignin pathway. Thus, the CSE shares the substrate with the enzyme HCT, suggesting that an alteration in its expression may interfere not only in the metabolism of lignin, but also in the CGA metabolism one. Due to the fact that they have common intermediates, it is possible to have interdependence between the synthesis in CGA and lignin pathways, and that CGA may act as a donor of carbon skeletons for the lignin biosynthesis. Thus, the construction of mutants and double mutants over expressing and silencing HCT, HQT and CSE genes may help elucidate the nature of this interdependence among the CGA and lignin pool as well as validate the role of the enzyme CSE as a common component in the lignin pathway. It is expected that with phenotypic, biochemical and molecular analyzes information confirming that CGA may be redirected for the synthesis of lignin and, not only HCT, but also HQT and CSE enzymes, would have a role in both pathways. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

VOLPI E SILVA, NATHALIA; MAZZAFERA, PAULO; CESARINO, IGOR. Should I stay or should I go: are chlorogenic acids mobilized towards lignin biosynthesis?. Phytochemistry, v. 166, OCT 2019. (14/17831-5)

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

SILVA, Nathalia Volpi e. Ácido clorogênico e sua relação com a biossíntese de lignina. 2019. Doctoral Thesis - Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Instituto de Biologia Campinas, SP.