Profiling phenolic metabolites in transgenic alfalfa modified in lignin biosynthesis.
Soluble phenolics, wall-bound phenolics and soluble and core lignin were analyzed in transgenic alfalfa with genetically down-regulated O-methyltransferase genes involved in lignin biosynthesis. High performance liquid chromatography and principal component analysis were used to distinguish metabolic phenotypes of different transgenic alfalfa genotypes growing under standard greenhouse conditions. Principal component analysis of HPLC chromatograms did not resolve differences in leaf metabolite profiles between wild-type and transgenic plants of the same genetic background, although stem phenolic profiles were clearly different between wild-type and transgenic plants. However, the analytical methods clearly differentiated two non-transgenic alfalfa cultivars based on either leaf or stem profiles. Metabolic profiling provides a useful approach to monitoring the broader biochemical phenotypes of transgenic plants with altered expression of lignin pathway enzymes.
Chen
Fang
F
Plant Biology Division, Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, 2510 Sam Noble Parkway, Ardmore, OK 73401, USA. fchen@noble.org
Duran
Anthony L
AL
Blount
Jack W
JW
Sumner
Lloyd W
LW
Dixon
Richard A
RA
D002473:Cell Wall / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D015536:Down-Regulation; D005838:Genotype; D008031:Lignin / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D000455:Medicago sativa / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008780:Methyltransferases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D010636:Phenols / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D010641:Phenotype; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D018547:Plant Stems / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D025341:Principal Component Analysis
D010636:Phenols; D008031:Lignin; D008780:Methyltransferases