Genome-wide analysis of the structural genes regulating defense phenylpropanoid metabolism in Populus

Journal Article · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 2006 · New Phytologist

OSTI ID:1003690

Tschaplinski, Timothy J ^[1]; Tsai, Chung-Jui ^[2]; Harding, Scott A ^[2]; Lindroth, richard L ^[3]; Yuan, Yinan ^[2]

---

1. ORNL
2. Michigan Technological University
3. University of Wisconsin, Madison

Salicin-based phenolic glycosides, hydroxycinnamate derivatives and flavonoid-derived condensed tannins comprise up to one-third of Populus leaf dry mass. Genes regulating the abundance and chemical diversity of these substances have not been comprehensively analysed in tree species exhibiting this metabolically demanding level of phenolic metabolism. Here, shikimate-phenylpropanoid pathway genes thought to give rise to these phenolic products were annotated from the Populus genome, their expression assessed by semiquantitative or quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and metabolic evidence for function presented. Unlike Arabidopsis, Populus leaves accumulate an array of hydroxycinnamoyl-quinate esters, which is consistent with broadened function of the expanded hydroxycinnamoyl-CoA transferase gene family. Greater flavonoid pathway diversity is also represented, and flavonoid gene families are larger. Consistent with expanded pathway function, most of these genes were upregulated during wound-stimulated condensed tannin synthesis in leaves. The suite of Populus genes regulating phenylpropanoid product accumulation should have important application in managing phenolic carbon pools in relation to climate change and global carbon cycling.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL)
• Sponsoring Organization: SC USDOE - Office of Science (SC)
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-00OR22725
• OSTI ID: 1003690
• Journal Information: New Phytologist, Journal Name: New Phytologist Vol. 172; ISSN 0028-646X; ISSN NEPHAV
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS
ABUNDANCE
ARABIDOPSIS
CARBON
CLIMATES
ESTERS
FLAVONOIDS
GENES
GLYCOSIDES
METABOLISM
POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION
SYNTHESIS
TANNIC ACID
TRANSCRIPTION
TRANSFERASES
TREES