| Literature DB >> 29431741 |
Ajaya K Biswal1,2,3, Melani A Atmodjo1,2,3, Mi Li3,4,5, Holly L Baxter3,6, Chang Geun Yoo3,4,5, Yunqiao Pu3,4,5, Yi-Ching Lee3,7, Mitra Mazarei3,6, Ian M Black2, Ji-Yi Zhang3,7, Hema Ramanna3,7, Adam L Bray3,8, Zachary R King3,8, Peter R LaFayette3,8, Sivakumar Pattathil2,3, Bryon S Donohoe3,9, Sushree S Mohanty2,3, David Ryno2,3, Kelsey Yee3,4, Olivia A Thompson3,4, Miguel Rodriguez3,4, Alexandru Dumitrache3,4, Jace Natzke3,4, Kim Winkeler3,10, Cassandra Collins3,10, Xiaohan Yang3,4, Li Tan1,2,3, Robert W Sykes3,9, Erica L Gjersing3,9, Angela Ziebell3,9, Geoffrey B Turner3,9, Stephen R Decker3,9, Michael G Hahn2,3,11, Brian H Davison3,4, Michael K Udvardi3,7, Jonathan R Mielenz3,4, Mark F Davis3,9, Richard S Nelson3,7, Wayne A Parrott3,8, Arthur J Ragauskas3,4,5,12, C Neal Stewart3,6, Debra Mohnen1,2,3.
Abstract
Cell walls in crops and trees have been engineered for production of biofuels and commodity chemicals, but engineered varieties often fail multi-year field trials and are not commercialized. We engineered reduced expression of a pectin biosynthesis gene (Galacturonosyltransferase 4, GAUT4) in switchgrass and poplar, and find that this improves biomass yields and sugar release from biomass processing. Both traits were maintained in a 3-year field trial of GAUT4-knockdown switchgrass, with up to sevenfold increased saccharification and ethanol production and sixfold increased biomass yield compared with control plants. We show that GAUT4 is an α-1,4-galacturonosyltransferase that synthesizes homogalacturonan (HG). Downregulation of GAUT4 reduces HG and rhamnogalacturonan II (RGII), reduces wall calcium and boron, and increases extractability of cell wall sugars. Decreased recalcitrance in biomass processing and increased growth are likely due to reduced HG and RGII cross-linking in the cell wall.Entities:
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Year: 2018 PMID： 29431741 DOI： 10.1038/nbt.4067
Source DB: PubMed Journal: Nat Biotechnol ISSN： 1087-0156 Impact factor: 54.908