Overexpression of REDUCED WALL ACETYLATION C increases xylan acetylation and biomass recalcitrance in Populus

• DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiad377
• Publication Date: 2023-07-03T18:59:42Z
• Authors: Jin Zhang; Xiaqin Wang; Hsin-Tzu Wang; Zhenzhen Qiao; Tao Yao; Meng Xie; Breeanna R Urbano...; Wei Zeng; Sara S Jawdy; Lee E Gunter; Xiaohan Yang; Olaf Czarnecki; Sharon Regan; Armand Seguin; William Rottmann; Kimberly A Winkeler; Robert Sykes; Anna Lipzen; Chris Daum; Kerrie Barry; Meng-Zhu Lu; Gerald A Tuskan; Wellington Muchero; Jin-Gui Chen
• Keywords: 570; Populus; Cell Wall; Biofuels; 500; Xylans; Acetylation; Biomass; 15. Life on land; Plants; 7. Clean energy; Lignin; Research Article

Abstract Plant lignocellulosic biomass, i.e. secondary cell walls of plants, is a vital alternative source for bioenergy. However, the acetylation xylan in impedes conversion biomass to biofuels. Previous studies have shown that REDUCED WALL ACETYLATION (RWA) proteins are directly involved but regulatory mechanism RWAs not fully understood. In this study, we demonstrate overexpression Populus trichocarpa PtRWA-C gene increases level and lignin content S/G ratio, ultimately yielding poplar woody with reduced saccharification efficiency. Furthermore, through coexpression network expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) analysis, found was regulated only by wall hierarchical also an AP2 family transcription factor HARDY (HRD). Specifically, HRD activates binding promoter, which cis-eQTL PtRWA-C. Taken together, our findings provide insights into functional roles consequently shed light on synthetic biology approaches manipulate alter properties. These substantial implications genetic engineering species, could be used as sustainable biofuels, valuable biochemicals, biomaterials.