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Down-regulation of cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase in transgenic alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and the effect on lignin composition and digestibility

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Abstract

To improve the digestibility of the forage crop alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase (CAD), which catalyses the last step in the biosynthesis of the lignin monomers, was down-regulated by using an antisense approach. A subset of six transgenic lines with reduced CAD activity and control lines were analysed when grown in the greenhouse and in the field. The down-regulation of the CAD enzyme was associated with a red coloration of the stem. The lignin quantity remained unchanged, but the lignin composition, as determined by thioacidolysis, was altered. The highest reduction of CAD activity was associated with a lower syringyl/guaiacyl (S/G) ratio and a lower S+G yield, mainly because of a decreased amount of S units. An increase in in situ disappearance of dry matter and of cell wall residue was detected in one of the transgenic lines grown in the greenhouse, and for two of the lines grown in the field the rate of disappearance of dry matter slightly improved. Furthermore, these two lines had a higher solubility in alkali as shown by the lower yield of saponified residue. This study opens perspectives for improving forage crop digestibility by the modulation of enzymes involved in lignin biosynthesis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratorium voor Genetica, Departement Genetica, Vlaams Interuniversitair Instituut voor Biotechnologie, Universiteit Gent, K.L. Ledeganckstraat 35, 9000 , Gent, Belgium

    Marie Baucher & Marc Van Montagu

  2. Unité de la Digestion Microbienne, SRNH INRA Theix, 63122 , St. Genès Champanelle, France

    Marie Andrée Bernard-vailhé & Jean-Michel Besle

  3. UPBP-Biochimie des Macromolécules végétales, Esplanade R. Garros 2, 51686 , Reims, France

    Brigitte Chabbert

  4. Plant Genetic Systems N.V., 9000 , Gent, Belgium

    Chris Opsomer & Johan Botterman

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  1. Marie Baucher
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Baucher, M., Bernard-vailhé, M.A., Chabbert, B. et al. Down-regulation of cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase in transgenic alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and the effect on lignin composition and digestibility. Plant Mol Biol 39, 437–447 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1006182925584

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