Skip to main content
Log in

Cloning and characterization of two maize cDNAs encoding Cinnamoyl-CoA Reductase (CCR) and differential expression of the corresponding genes

  • Published:
Plant Molecular Biology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Cinnamoyl-CoA Reductase (CCR, EC 1.2.1.44) catalyses the first step of the lignin pathway. Two full-length cDNAs identified by sequence analysis as CCR-encoding cDNAs were isolated from a maize root cDNA library. These two cDNAs designated ZmCCR1 and ZmCCR2 exhibit 73% sequence conservation at the nucleotide level for their coding regions and are relatively divergent at their 5′- and 3′-untranslated regions. They both contain a common signature which is thought to be involved in the catalytic site of CCR. Northern blot analysis indicated that ZmCCR2 was expressed at very low levels in roots whereas ZmCCR1 was widely expressed in different organs. The high level of ZmCCR1 gene expression along the stalk suggests that the corresponding enzyme is probably involved in constitutive lignification.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

References

  1. Argillier O, Barriè re Y, Lila M, Jeanneteau F, Gélinet K, Menanteau V: Genotypic variation in phenolic components of cell-walls in relation to the digestibility of maize stalks. Agronomie 16: 123–130 (1996).

    Google Scholar 

  2. Boudet AM, Goffner D, Grima-Pettenati J: Lignins and lignification: recent biochemical and biotechnological developments. CR Acad Sci Paris Sci Vie, Biol Path Vég 319: 317–331 (1996).

    Google Scholar 

  3. Boudet AM, Grima-Pettenati J, Goffner D: DNA sequences coding for a Cinnamoyl CoA Reductase and their use in the regulation of plant lignin concentrations. PatentWO 9527790-A 5, 19.10.95.

  4. Boudet AM, Pichon M, Grima-Pettenati J, Beckert M, Gamas P, Briat JF: DNA sequences coding for a Cinnamoyl CoA Reductase, and applications thereof in the control of lignin contents in plants. Patent WO 97/12982, 10.04.97.

  5. Campbell WH, Gowri G: Codon usage in higher plants, green algae, and cyanobacteria. Plant Physiol 92: 1–11 (1990).

    Google Scholar 

  6. Dellaporta SL, Wood J, Hicks JB: A plant DNA minipreparation: Version II. Plant Mol Biol Rep 1(4): 19–21 (1983).

    Google Scholar 

  7. Goffner D, Van Doorsselaere J, Yahiaoui N, Samaj J, Grima-Pettenati J, Boudet AM: A novel aromatic alcohol dehydrogenase in higher plants: molecular cloning and expression. Plant Mol Biol (in press).

  8. Held BM, Wang H, John I, Wurtele ES, Colbert JT: An mRNA putatively coding for an O-methyltransferase accumulates preferentially inmaize roots and is located predominantly in the region of the endodermis. Plant Physiol 102: 1001–1008 (1993).

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Johal GS, Briggs SP: Reductase activity encoded by the HM1 disease resistance gene in maize. Science 258: 985–987 (1992).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Jung HG, Deetz DA: Cell wall lignification and degradability. In: Jung HG, Buxton DR, Hatfield RD, Ralph J (eds) Forage Cell Wall Structure and Digestibility, pp. 315–340. American Society of Agronomy, Madison, WI (1993).

    Google Scholar 

  11. Lacombe E, Hawkins S, Doorsselaere JV, Piquemal J, Goffner D, Poeydomenge O, Boudet AM, Grima-Pettenati J: Cinnamoyl CoA reductase, the first committed enzyme of the lignin branch biosynthetic pathway: cloning, expression and phylogenetic relationships. Plant J 11(3): 429–441 (1997).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Lewis NG, Yamamoto E: Lignin: occurrence, biogenesis and biodegradation. Annu Rev Plant Physiol Plant Mol Biol 41: 455–496 (1990).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Lullien V, Barker DG, De Lajudie P, Huguet T: Plant gene expression in effective and ineffective root nodule of alfalfa (Medicago sativa). Plant Mol Biol 9: 469–478 (1987).

    Google Scholar 

  14. Maniatis T, Fritsch EF, Sambrook J: Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, NY (1982).

    Google Scholar 

  15. Monties B: Lignins. In: Dey PM, Harborne JB (eds) Methods in Plant Biochemistry: Plant Phenolics, vol 1, pp. 113–157. Academic Press, New York 113–157 (1989).

    Google Scholar 

  16. Morrison TA, Buxton DR: Activity of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, tyrosine ammonia-lyase, and cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase in the maize stalk. Crop Sci 33: 1264–1268 (1993).

    Google Scholar 

  17. Morrison TA, Kessler JR, Hatfield RD, Buxton DR: Activity of two lignin biosynthesis enzymes during development of a maize internode. J Sci Food Agric 65: 133–139 (1994).

    Google Scholar 

  18. Piquemal J, Lapierre C, Myton K, O'Connell A, Schuch W, Grima-Pettenati J, Boudet AM: Down-regulation of cinnamoyl-CoA reductase induces significant changes of lignins profiles in transgenic tobacco plants. Plant J 13: 71–83 (1998).

    Google Scholar 

  19. Schwarz-Sommer Z, Shepherd N, Tacke E, Gierl A, Rohde W, Leclercq L, Mattes M, Berndtgen R, Peterson PA, Saedler H: Influence of transposable elements on the structure and function of the A1 gene of Zea mays. EMBO J 6: 287–294 (1987).

    Google Scholar 

  20. Scobbie L, Russell W, Provan GJ, Chesson A: The newly extended maize internode: a model for the study of secondary cell wall formation and consequences for digestibility. J Sci Food Agric 61: 217–225 (1993).

    Google Scholar 

  21. Vance CP, Kirk TK, Sherwood RT: Lignification as a mechanism of disease resistance. Annu Rev Phytopath 18: 259–288 (1980).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Pichon, M., Courbou, I., Beckert, M. et al. Cloning and characterization of two maize cDNAs encoding Cinnamoyl-CoA Reductase (CCR) and differential expression of the corresponding genes. Plant Mol Biol 38, 671–676 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1006060101866

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1006060101866

Navigation