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Research article2017Peer reviewedOpen access

Downregulation of RWA genes in hybrid aspen affects xylan acetylation and wood saccharification

Pawar, Prashant Mohan-Anupama; Ratke, Christine; Balasubramanian, Vimal K.; Chong, Sun-Li; Gandla, Madhavi Latha; Adriasola, Mathilda; Sparrman, Tobias; Hedenstrom, Mattias; Szwaj, Klaudia; Derba-Maceluch, Marta; Gaertner, Cyril; Mouille, Gregory; Ezcurra, Ines; Tenkanen, Maija; Jonsson, Leif J.; Mellerowicz, Ewa J.

Abstract

High acetylation of angiosperm wood hinders its conversion to sugars by glycoside hydrolases, subsequent ethanol fermentation and (hence) its use for biofuel production.We studied the REDUCED WALL ACETYLATION (RWA) gene family of the hardwood model Populus to evaluate its potential for improving saccharification.The family has two clades, AB and CD, containing two genes each. All four genes are expressed in developing wood but only RWA-A and -B are activated by master switches of the secondary cell wall PtNST1 and PtMYB21. Histochemical analysis of promoter:: GUS lines in hybrid aspen (Populus tremula x tremuloides) showed activation of RWA-A and -B promoters in the secondary wall formation zone, while RWA-C and -D promoter activity was diffuse. Ectopic downregulation of either clade reduced wood xylan and xyloglucan acetylation. Suppressing both clades simultaneously using the wood-specific promoter reduced wood acetylation by 25% and decreased acetylation at position 2 of Xylp in the dimethyl sulfoxide-extracted xylan. This did not affect plant growth but decreased xylose and increased glucose contents in the noncellulosic monosaccharide fraction, and increased glucose and xylose yields of wood enzymatic hydrolysis without pretreatment.Both RWA clades regulate wood xylan acetylation in aspen and are promising targets to improve wood saccharification.

Keywords

Cas1p; Populus; REDUCED CELL WALL ACETYLATION; saccharification; wood acetylation; xylan; xylan acetylation; xylem

Published in

New Phytologist
2017, Volume: 214, number: 4, pages: 1491-1505
Publisher: WILEY