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Title: p HBMT1, a BAHD-family monolignol acyltransferase, mediates lignin acylation in poplar

Journal Article · · Plant Physiology (Bethesda)

Abstract Poplar (Populus) lignin is naturally acylated with p-hydroxybenzoate ester moieties. However, the enzyme(s) involved in the biosynthesis of the monolignol–p-hydroxybenzoates have remained largely unknown. Here, we performed an in vitro screen of the Populus trichocarpa BAHD acyltransferase superfamily (116 genes) using a wheatgerm cell-free translation system and found five enzymes capable of producing monolignol–p-hydroxybenzoates. We then compared the transcript abundance of the five corresponding genes with p-hydroxybenzoate concentrations using naturally occurring unrelated genotypes of P. trichocarpa and revealed a positive correlation between the expression of p-hydroxybenzoyl-CoA monolig-nol transferase (pHBMT1, Potri.001G448000) and p-hydroxybenzoate levels. To test whether pHBMT1 is responsible for the biosynthesis of monolignol–p-hydroxybenzoates, we overexpressed pHBMT1 in hybrid poplar (Populus alba × P. grandidentata) (35S::pHBMT1 and C4H::pHBMT1). Using three complementary analytical methods, we showed that there was an increase in soluble monolignol–p-hydroxybenzoates and cell-wall-bound monolignol–p-hydroxybenzoates in the poplar transgenics. As these pendent groups are ester-linked, saponification releases p-hydroxybenzoate, a precursor to parabens that are used in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. This identified gene could therefore be used to engineer lignocellulosic biomass with increased value for emerging biorefinery strategies.

Research Organization:
Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center (GLBRC), Madison, WI (United States); University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI (United States); University of Wisconsin-Madison, WI (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE; USDOE Office of Science (SC); USDOE Office of Science (SC), Biological and Environmental Research (BER)
Grant/Contract Number:
SC0018409; SC0020349; SC0023049
OSTI ID:
1844039
Journal Information:
Plant Physiology (Bethesda), Journal Name: Plant Physiology (Bethesda) Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 188; ISSN 0032-0889
Publisher:
Oxford University PressCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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