Resolving the metabolism of monolignols and other lignin-related aromatic compounds in Xanthomonas citri

Author(s):Show less -

Martim, Damaris B. ; Brilhante, Anna J. V. C. ; Lima, Augusto R. ; Paixao, Douglas A. A. ; Martins-Junior, Joaquim ; Kashiwagi, Fernanda M. ; Wolf, Lucia D. ; Costa, Mariany S. ; Menezes, Fabricia F. ; Prata, Rafaela ; Gazolla, Matheus C. ; Aricetti, Juliana A. ; Persinoti, Gabriela F. ; Rocha, George J. M. ; Giuseppe, Priscila O.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: NATURE COMMUNICATIONS; v. 15, n. 1, p. 17-pg., 2024-09-12.

Abstract

Lignin, a major plant cell wall component, has an important role in plant-defense mechanisms against pathogens and is a promising renewable carbon source to produce bio-based chemicals. However, our understanding of microbial metabolism is incomplete regarding certain lignin-related compounds like p-coumaryl and sinapyl alcohols. Here, we reveal peripheral pathways for the catabolism of the three main lignin precursors (p-coumaryl, coniferyl, and sinapyl alcohols) in the plant pathogen Xanthomonas citri. Our study demonstrates all the necessary enzymatic steps for funneling these monolignols into the tricarboxylic acid cycle, concurrently uncovering aryl aldehyde reductases that likely protect the pathogen from aldehydes toxicity. It also shows that lignin-related aromatic compounds activate transcriptional responses related to chemotaxis and flagellar-dependent motility, which might play an important role during plant infection. Together our findings provide foundational knowledge to support biotechnological advances for both plant diseases treatments and conversion of lignin-derived compounds into bio-based chemicals. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 19/06921-7 - Investigation of the metabolic pathways from Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citri for the utilization of aromatic compounds derived from lignin
• Grantee: Priscila Oliveira de Giuseppe
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 19/08590-8 - Identification of pathways for the catabolism of lignin-derived aromatic compounds in Xanthomonas axonopodis pv citri
• Grantee: Damaris Batistão Martim
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 21/07139-0 - Functional and structural analysis of aryl-O-demethylases with potential for lignin valorization
• Grantee: Augusto Rodrigues Lima
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• FAPESP's process: 22/01070-1 - Structure-function relationships investigation of active dehydrogenases on aromatics: unraveling and optimizing enzymatic mechanisms for vanillin production from renewable sources
• Grantee: Anna Julyana Viana Chianca Brilhante
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate