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Expression profiling of the lignin biosynthetic pathway in Norway spruce using EST sequencing and real-time RT-PCR

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Abstract

Lignin biosynthesis is a major carbon sink in gymnosperms and woody angiosperms. Many of the enzymes involved are encoded for by several genes, some of which are also related to the biosynthesis of other phenylpropanoids. In this study, we aimed at the identification of those gene family members that are responsible for developmental lignification in Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.). Gene expression across the whole lignin biosynthetic pathway was profiled using EST sequencing and quantitative real-time RT-PCR. Stress-induced lignification during bending stress and Heterobasidion annosum infection was also studied. Altogether 7,189 ESTs were sequenced from a lignin forming tissue culture and developing xylem of spruce, and clustered into 3,831 unigenes. Several paralogous genes were found for both monolignol biosynthetic and polymerisation-related enzymes. Real-time RT-PCR results highlighted the set of monolignol biosynthetic genes that are likely to be responsible for developmental lignification in Norway spruce. Potential genes for monolignol polymerisation were also identified. In compression wood, mostly the same monolignol biosynthetic gene set was expressed, but peroxidase expression differed from the vertically grown control. Pathogen infection in phloem resulted in a general up-regulation of the monolignol biosynthetic pathway, and in an induction of a few new gene family members. Based on the up-regulation under both pathogen attack and in compression wood, PaPAL2, PaPX2 and PaPX3 appeared to have a general stress-induced function.

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Abbreviations

CAD:

Cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase

CADL:

CAD-like

CCOMT:

Caffeoyl-CoA O-methyltransferase

CCR:

Cinnamoyl-CoA reductase

COMT:

Caffeic acid O-methyltransferase

CoA:

Coenzyme A

Ct:

Cycle threshold

C3H:

p-coumarate-3-hydroxylase

C4H:

Cinnamate-4-hydroxylase

EST:

Expressed sequence tag

F5H/CAld5H:

Ferulate/coniferaldehyde-5-hydroxylase

G:

Guaiacyl lignin

H:

Hydroxyphenyl lignin

HCT:

Hydroxycinnamoyl:CoA shikimate/quinate hydroxycinnamoyl transferase

PAL:

Phenylalanine ammonia-lyase

RT-PCR:

Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction

RSCL:

Released suspension culture lignin

S:

Syringyl lignin

SAD:

Sinapaldehyde dehydrogenase

4CL:

4-coumarate:CoA ligase

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Acknowledgements

The Finnish Forest Research Institute (Metla) and the nursery Nurmijärven Taimitarha are thanked for the spruce material. Maaret Mustonen, Irmeli Luovula and Sven Kevin are acknowledged for technical assistance. We thank M. Agric, Katriina Mouhu and Dr. Panu Somervuo for discussions on statistical analysis, and Dr. Roosa Laitinen for discussions on quantitative gene expression studies and critical comments on the manuscript. The Centre of Excellence program of the Academy of Finland and the National Technology Agency of Finland (TEKES) supported this work financially.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Applied Biology, University of Helsinki, Latokartanonkaari 7, PO Box 27, Helsinki, 00014, Finland

    Sanna Koutaniemi, Tino Warinowski, Anna Kärkönen & Teemu H. Teeri

  2. Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland

    Edward Alatalo & Lars Paulin

  3. Norwegian Forest and Landscape Institute, Ås, Norway

    Carl G. Fossdal

  4. Finnish Forest Research Institute Metla, Vantaa, Finland

    Pekka Saranpää & Tapio Laakso

  5. Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland

    Kurt V. Fagerstedt & Liisa K. Simola

  6. Centre for Biotechnology, Turku, Finland

    Stephen Rudd

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  1. Sanna Koutaniemi
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Koutaniemi, S., Warinowski, T., Kärkönen, A. et al. Expression profiling of the lignin biosynthetic pathway in Norway spruce using EST sequencing and real-time RT-PCR. Plant Mol Biol 65, 311–328 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11103-007-9220-5

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