Fiber Cell-Specific Expression of the VP16-Fused Ethylene Response Factor 41 Protein Increases Biomass Yield and Alters Lignin Composition

• DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.654655
• Publication Date: 2021-04-30T15:00:49Z
• Authors: Miyuki T. Nakata; Shingo Sakamoto; Nuoendagula; Shinya Kajita; Nobutaka Mitsuda
• Keywords: Secondary cell wall

Arabidopsis thaliana transcription factors belonging to the ERFIIId and ERFIIIe subclade (ERFIIId/e) of APETALA 2/ethylene response factor (AP2/ERF) family enhance primary cell wall (PCW) formation. These activate expression genes encoding PCW-type cellulose synthase (CESA) subunits other for PCW biosynthesis. In this study, we show that fiber-specific ERF035-VP16 ERF041-VP16, which are VP16-fused proteins ERFIIId/e members, promote thickening in a wild-type background with concomitant increase alcohol insoluble residues (cell content) per fresh weight (FW) monosaccharides related without affecting plant growth. Furthermore, ERF041-VP16 lines, total amount lignin syringyl (S)/guaiacyl (G) ratio decreased, enzymatic saccharification yield glucose from improved. these CESA were upregulated ferulate 5-hydropxylase1 (F5H1), is necessary production S unit lignin, was downregulated. addition, various changes levels regulating secondary (SCW) formation observed. conclusion, fiber cell-specific improves biomass yield, increases components, alters composition deposition may be suitable use future molecular breeding programs crops.