Exclusive accumulation of Z-isomers of monolignols and their glucosides in bark of Fagus grandifolia.
In addition to Z-coniferyl and Z-sinapyl alcohols, bark extracts of Fagus grandifolia also contain significant amounts of the glucosides, Z-coniferin, Z-isoconiferin (previously called faguside) and Z-syringin.  The corresponding E-isomers of these glucosides do not accumulate to a detectable level.  The accumulation of the Z-isomers suggests that either they are not lignin precursors or that they are reservoirs of monolignols for subsequent lignin biosynthesis; it is not possible to distinguish between these alternatives.  The co-occurrence of Z-coniferin and Z-isoconiferin demonstrate that glucosylation of monolignols can occur at either the phenolic or the allylic hydroxyl groups.
Lewis
N G
NG
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Department of Biochemistry, Blacksburg 24061, USA.
Inciong
E J
EJ
Ohashi
H
H
Towers
G H
GH
Yamamoto
E
E
D000107:Acetylation; D002934:Cinnamates / Q000032:analysis; D005960:Glucosides / Q000032:analysis; D007536:Isomerism; D008031:Lignin / Q000032:analysis*; D010666:Phenylpropionates; D014197:Trees / Q000737:chemistry*
D002934:Cinnamates; D005960:Glucosides; D010666:Phenylpropionates; D008031:Lignin; C028305:syringin; C016316:coniferin