Open AccessDevelopmental changes in lignin composition are driven by both monolignol supply and laccase specificity
Author(s) -
Chunliu Zhuo,
Xin Wang,
Maite Docampo-Palacios,
Brian C. Sanders,
Nancy Engle,
Timothy J. Tschaplinski,
John I. Hendry,
Costas D. Maranas,
Fang Chen,
Richard A. Dixon
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
science advances
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.928
H-Index - 146
ISSN - 2375-2548
DOI - 10.1126/sciadv.abm8145
Subject(s) - monolignol , coniferyl alcohol , lignin , laccase , chemistry , alcohol , apoplast , cell wall , biochemistry , botany , biosynthesis , organic chemistry , biology , enzyme
The factors controlling lignin composition remain unclear. Catechyl (C)–lignin is a homopolymer of caffeyl alcohol with unique properties as a biomaterial and precursor of industrial chemicals. The lignin synthesized in the seed coat ofCleome hassleriana switches from guaiacyl (G)– to C-lignin at around 12 to 14 days after pollination (DAP), associated with a rerouting of the monolignol pathway. Lack of synthesis of caffeyl alcohol limits C-lignin formation before around 12 DAP, but coniferyl alcohol is still synthesized and highly accumulated after 14 DAP. We propose a model in which, during C-lignin biosynthesis, caffeyl alcohol noncompetitively inhibits oxidation of coniferyl alcohol by cell wall laccases, a process that might limit movement of coniferyl alcohol to the apoplast. Developmental changes in both substrate availability and laccase specificity together account for the metabolic fates of G- and C-monolignols in theCleome seed coat.