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- Prashant, S., et al.
(author)
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Down-regulation of Leucaena leucocephala cinnamoyl CoA reductase (LlCCR) gene induces significant changes in phenotype, soluble phenolic pools and lignin in transgenic tobacco
- 2011
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In: Plant Cell Reports. - : Springer Nature. - 0721-7714 .- 1432-203X. ; 30:12, s. 2215-2231
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- cDNA and genomic clones of cinnamoyl CoA reductase measuring 1011 and 2992 bp were isolated from a leguminous pulpwood tree Leucaena leucocephala, named as LlCCR. The cDNA exhibited 80–85% homology both at the nucleotide and amino acid levels with other known sequences. The genomic sequence contained five exons and four introns. Sense and antisense constructs of LlCCR were introduced in tobacco plants to up and down-regulate this key enzyme of lignification. The primary transformants showed a good correlation between CCR transcript levels and its activity. Most of the CCR down-regulated lines displayed stunted growth and development, wrinkled leaves and delayed senescence. These lines accumulated unusual phenolics like ferulic and sinapic acids in cell wall. Histochemical staining suggested reduction in aldehyde units and increased syringyl over guaiacyl (S/G) ratio of lignin. Anatomical studies showed thin walled, elongated xylem fibres, collapsed vessels with drastic reduction of secondary xylem. The transmission electron microscopic studies revealed modification of ultrastructure and topochemical distribution of wall polysaccharides and lignin in the xylem fibres. CCR down-regulated lines showed increased thickness of secondary wall layers and poor lignification of S2 and S3 wall layers. The severely down-regulated line AS17 exhibited 24.7% reduction of Klason lignin with an increase of 15% holocellulose content. Contrarily, the CCR up-regulated lines exhibited robust growth, development and significant increase in lignin content. The altered lignin profiles observed in transgenic tobacco lines support a role for CCR down-regulation in improving wood properties of L. leucocephala exclusively used in the pulp and paper industry of India.
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| 2. |
- Sirisha, V. L., et al.
(author)
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Cloning, characterization and impact of up- and down-regulating subabul cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase (CAD) gene on plant growth and lignin profiles in transgenic tobacco
- 2011
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In: Plant growth regulation (Print). - : Springer Nature. - 0167-6903 .- 1573-5087. ; 66:3, s. 239-253
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Both cDNA including 5′UTR and 3′UTR and genomic clones of cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase (CAD) were isolated and characterized from a pulp-yielding leguminous tree Leucaena leucocephala (LlCAD1). The deduced amino acid sequence shared high identity with orthologous sequences of Acacia mangium × Acacia auriculiformis (83%), Medicago sativa (83%), Nicotiana tabaccum (83%) and Aralia cordata (81%). Full length cDNA contained 78 bases of 5′UTR and 283 bases of 3′UTR, while the genomic clone contained 5 exons and 4 introns. Western blot analysis revealed elevated expression of LlCAD1 in seedling roots and shoots compared to leaves. Sense and antisense CAD tobacco transgenics showed increased and reduced CAD activity accompanied by a change in monomeric lignin composition. Histochemical staining of lignin in down-regulated plants suggested an increase in aldehyde units and a decrease in S/G ratio. Down-regulation of CAD resulted in accumulation of syringic, ferulic, p-coumaric and sinapic acids compared to untransformed controls. These observations were validated by anatomical studies of down-regulated transgenic stems which showed thin walled, elongated phloem and xylem fibres, accompanied by a reduction in the density of vessel elements and amount of secondary xylem when compared to untransformed plants. Furthermore, Klason lignin analysis of CAD antisense transgenics showed 7–32% reduced lignin and normal phenotype as compared to untransformed plants. Such a reduction was not noticed in up-regulated transgenics. These results demonstrate a unique opportunity to explore the significant role that down-regulation of CAD gene plays in reducing lignin content thereby offering potential benefits to the pulp and paper industry.
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