Overexpression of the scopoletin biosynthetic pathway enhances lignocellulosic biomass processing

Hoengenaert, Lennart; Wouters, Marlies; Kim, Hoon; De Meester, Barbara; Morreel, Kris; Vandersyppe, Steven; Pollier, Jacob; Desmet, Sandrien; Goeminne, Geert; Ralph, John; Boerjan, Wout; Vanholme, Ruben

doi:10.1126/sciadv.abo5738

Overexpression of the scopoletin biosynthetic pathway enhances lignocellulosic biomass processing

Journal Article · Wed Jul 13 00:00:00 EDT 2022 · Science Advances

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.abo5738· OSTI ID:1893900

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Ghent Univ. (Belgium); VIB, Ghent (Belgium); Ghent University Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics
Ghent Univ. (Belgium); VIB, Ghent (Belgium)
Univ. of Wisconsin, Madison, WI (United States)
Ghent Univ. (Belgium); VIB, Ghent (Belgium); VIB Metabolomics Core, Ghent (Belgium)

Lignin is the main factor limiting the enzymatic conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into fermentable sugars. Here, to reduce the recalcitrance engendered by the lignin polymer, the coumarin scopoletin was incorporated into the lignin polymer through the simultaneous expression of FERULOYL-CoA 6'-HYDROXYLASE 1 (F6'H1) and COUMARIN SYNTHASE (COSY) in lignifying cells in Arabidopsis. The transgenic lines overproduced scopoletin and incorporated it into the lignin polymer, without adversely affecting plant growth. About 3.3% of the lignin units in the transgenic lines were derived from scopoletin, thereby exceeding the levels of the traditional p-hydroxyphenyl units. Saccharification efficiency of alkali-pretreated scopoletin-overproducing lines was 40% higher than for wild type.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, Madison, WI (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Science (SC), Biological and Environmental Research (BER)

Grant/Contract Number:: SC0018409

OSTI ID:: 1893900

Journal Information:: Science Advances, Journal Name: Science Advances Journal Issue: 28 Vol. 8; ISSN 2375-2548

Publisher:: AAASCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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