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A Versatile Click-Compatible Monolignol Probe to Study Lignin Deposition in Plant Cell Walls

Journal Article · · PLoS ONE
 [1];  [2];  [2];  [2];  [2];  [2];  [3]
  1. The Pennsylvania State Univ., University Park, PA (United States); The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
  2. The Pennsylvania State Univ., University Park, PA (United States)
  3. Iowa State Univ., Ames, IA (United States)
Here, lignin plays important structural and functional roles in plants by forming a hydrophobic matrix in secondary cell walls that enhances mechanical strength and resists microbial decay. While the importance of the lignin matrix is well documented and the biosynthetic pathways for monolignols are known, the process by which lignin precursors or monolignols are transported and polymerized to form this matrix remains a subject of considerable debate. In this study, we have synthesized and tested an analog of coniferyl alcohol that has been modified to contain an ethynyl group at the C-3 position. This modification enables fluorescent tagging and imaging of this molecule after its incorporation into plant tissue by click chemistry-assisted covalent labeling with a fluorescent azide dye, and confers a distinct Raman signature that could be used for Raman imaging. We found that this monolignol analog is incorporated into in vitro-polymerized dehydrogenation polymer (DHP) lignin and into root epidermal cell walls of 4-day-old Arabidopsis seedlings. Incorporation of the analog in stem sections of 6-week-old Arabidopsis thaliana plants and labeling with an Alexa-594 azide dye revealed the precise locations of new lignin polymerization. Results from this study indicate that this molecule can provide high-resolution localization of lignification during plant cell wall maturation and lignin matrix assembly.
Research Organization:
Energy Frontier Research Centers (EFRC) (United States). Center for Lignocellulose Structure and Formation (CLSF); The Pennsylvania State Univ., University Park, PA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
Grant/Contract Number:
SC0001090
OSTI ID:
1459346
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 1210586
Journal Information:
PLoS ONE, Journal Name: PLoS ONE Journal Issue: 4 Vol. 10; ISSN 1932-6203
Publisher:
Public Library of ScienceCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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Cited By (4)

Regulation of gene expression in roots of the pH-sensitive Vaccinium corymbosum and the pH-tolerant Vaccinium arboreum in response to near neutral pH stress using RNA-Seq journal August 2017
Investigating Biochemical and Developmental Dependencies of Lignification with a Click-Compatible Monolignol Analog in Arabidopsis thaliana Stems journal August 2016
Visualizing Lignification Dynamics in Plants with Click Chemistry: Dual Labeling is BLISS! journal January 2018
Phi thickenings in roots: novel secondary wall structures responsive to biotic and abiotic stresses journal May 2019

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