Lignification in Sugarcane: Biochemical Characterization, Gene Discovery, and Expression Analysis in Two Genotypes Contrasting for Lignin Content

Author(s):Show less -

Bottcher, Alexandra ^[1] ; Cesarino, Igor ^{[2, 1, 3]} ; dos Santos, Adriana Brombini ^[1] ; Vicentini, Renato ^{[4, 3]} ; Sampaio Mayer, Juliana Lischka ^{[1, 5]} ; Vanholme, Ruben ^[2] ; Morreel, Kris ^{[2, 3]} ; Goeminne, Geert ^{[2, 3]} ; Magalhaes Silva Moura, Jullyana Cristina ^{[1, 6]} ; Nobile, Paula Macedo ^{[1, 7]} ; Carmello-Guerreiro, Sandra Maria ^[1] ; dos Anjos, Ivan Antonio ^[7] ; Creste, Silvana ^[7] ; Boerjan, Wout ^{[2, 3]} ; de Andrade Landell, Marcos Guimaraes ^[7] ; Mazzafera, Paulo ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Estadual Campinas, Dept Biol Vegetal, Inst Biol, BR-13083970 Campinas, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Ghent, Dept Plant Biotechnol & Bioinformat, B-9052 Ghent - Belgium

^[3] Vlaams Inst Biotechnol, Dept Plant Syst Biol, B-9052 Ghent - Belgium

^[4] Univ Estadual Campinas, Ctr Biol Mol & Engn Genet, BR-13083875 Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[5] Univ Estadual Centro Oeste, Dept Biol, BR-85040080 Guarapuava, Puerto Rico - Brazil

^[6] Univ Fed Triangulo Mineiro, Dept Ciencias Biol, Inst Ciencias Exatas Nat & Educ, BR-38025440 Uberaba, MG - Brazil

^[7] Inst Agron Campinas, Ctr Cana, BR-14001970 Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Plant Physiology; v. 163, n. 4, p. 1539-1557, DEC 2013.
• Web of Science Citations: 43

Abstract

Sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) is currently one of the most efficient crops in the production of first-generation biofuels. However, the bagasse represents an additional abundant lignocellulosic resource that has the potential to increase the ethanol production per plant. To achieve a more efficient conversion of bagasse into ethanol, a better understanding of the main factors affecting biomass recalcitrance is needed. Because several studies have shown a negative effect of lignin on saccharification yield, the characterization of lignin biosynthesis, structure, and deposition in sugarcane is an important goal. Here, we present, to our knowledge, the first systematic study of lignin deposition during sugarcane stem development, using histological, biochemical, and transcriptional data derived from two sugarcane genotypes with contrasting lignin contents. Lignin amount and composition were determined in rind (outer) and pith (inner) tissues throughout stem development. In addition, the phenolic metabolome was analyzed by ultra-highperformance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, which allowed the identification of 35 compounds related to the phenylpropanoid pathway and monolignol biosynthesis. Furthermore, the Sugarcane EST Database was extensively surveyed to identify lignin biosynthetic gene homologs, and the expression of all identified genes during stem development was determined by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Our data provide, to our knowledge, the first in-depth characterization of lignin biosynthesis in sugarcane and formthe baseline for the rationalmetabolic engineering of sugarcane feedstock for bioenergy purposes. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 08/58035-6 - Control of lignin biosynthesis in sugar cane: many gaps still to be filled
• Grantee: Paulo Mazzafera
• Support Opportunities: Program for Research on Bioenergy (BIOEN) - Thematic Grants