The fasciclin‐like arabinogalactan protein family of Eucalyptus grandis contains members that impact wood biology and biomechanics

• DOI: 10.1111/nph.13320
• Publication Date: 2015-02-12T20:21:51Z
• Authors: Colleen P. MacMillan; Lynette Taylor; Yingdong Bi; Simon G. Southerton; Rob Evans; Antanas Spokevicius
• Keywords: Secondary cell wall; Arabinogalactan; Microfibril

Fasciclin-like arabinogalactan protein (FLA) families have been identified and characterised in key plant species, with some members exhibiting functional specialization. Here we identify the FLA family of Eucalyptus grandis, investigate roles three single-FAS domain FLAs, particular focus on secondary cell-wall formation wood properties. We use various in-silico approaches to characterise E. grandis genome perform phylogenetic comparisons other species. For testing including promoter-reporter overexpression transgenic using eucalypts, poplar tobacco. Of 18 eucalypt FLAs identified, several were specifically highly expressed stems. The specificity stem xylem vessel fibre development was demonstrated EniFLA1promoter:GUS studies Testing select resulted altered properties, for example 35S:EgrFLA2 led a 3 degree reduction cellulose microfibril angle fibres, 35S:EgrFLA3 tobacco flexural strength. These results indicate that contains diverse members, single FAS domains are functionally specialized cell wall growth