PtrSHR1 coordinates vascular cambium proliferation and xylem lignin biosynthesis to regulate wood formation in Populus trichocarpa.
Zhao J, Chen Y, Dai X, Su L, Zhai R
Summary
8.4/10Scientists identified a master control gene (PtrSHR1) that regulates both how quickly trees build new wood and the structural properties of that wood. By using CRISPR to modify this single gene, they can engineer trees to grow thicker stems or produce wood with different lignin composition, offering potential for creating superior plant materials for manufacturing and renewable energy.
Key Findings
PtrSHR1 overexpression reduced vascular cambium zone size and stem diameter, while CRISPR mutation expanded the cambium zone and increased stem diameter
PtrSHR1 activates a specific regulatory pathway controlling 3 of 22 monolignol biosynthetic genes, directly regulating lignin content and structure in wood
Among 20 vascular cambium-specific transcription factors tested, PtrSHR1 produced the most prominent phenotypes affecting wood formation and stem development
Original Abstract
Vascular cambium produces cells to form xylem, or wood, in tree stems. Here we explored transregulatory pathways in this cell lineage development. We tested 20 of the 95 putative vascular cambium-specific (VCS) transcription factor (TF) genes through gain-of-function transgenesis in Black cottonwood (Populus trichocarpa) and found that a SHORT-ROOT (PtrSHR1) gene induced some of the most prominent phenotypes. PtrSHR1 transcripts are in the vascular cambium (VC) but not in the stem differentiating xylem (SDX), whereas PtrSHR1 proteins are in both VC and SDX. Constitutive overexpression or endonuclease-deficient Cas9 (dCas9) mediated loci-specific gene activation of PtrSHR1 revealed an activated PtrSHR1-PtrWRKY25-PtrVCS2-PtrWOX4a/b (WUSCHEL-related homeobox 4a/b) regulatory path for an abbreviated VC zone and a smaller stem diameter. CRISPR PtrSHR1 mutation reduced the PtrSHR1-PtrWRKY25-PtrVCS2-PtrWOX4a/b regulation resulting in an expanded VC zone and a larger stem diameter. In SDX, PtrSHR1-PtrWRKY94 activated specifically 3 (Ptr4CL3, 4-coumarate:CoA ligase 3; PtrC3H3, p-coumarate 3-hydroxylase 3; and PtrC4H1, cinnamate 4-hydroxylase 1) of the 22 monolignol biosynthetic pathway genes to control lignin content and structure, corroborated by chemical degradation and two-dimensional (2D) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analyses. Thus, PtrSHR1 mediates the proliferation of VC and diffuses into SDX to control lignin properties and wood production, unveiling potential strategies for creating advantageous wood feedstock for materials and energy.
Species Mentioned
Populus trichocarpa, the black cottonwood, western balsam-poplar or California poplar, is a deciduous broadleaf tree species native to western North America. It is used for timber, and is notable as a model organism in plant biology. The tree is notable for the seed-carrying cottony fluff it rele...
open_in_new Wikipedia