Functional characterization of CCR in birch (Betula platyphylla × Betula pendula) through overexpression and suppression analysis.
We cloned a Cinnamoyl-CoA Reductase gene (BpCCR1) from an apical meristem and first internode of Betula platyphylla and characterized its functions in lignin biosynthesis, wood formation and tree growth through transgenic approaches. We generated overexpression and suppression transgenic lines and analyzed them in comparison with the wild-type in terms of lignin content, anatomical characteristics, height and biomass. We found that BpCCR1 overexpression could increase lignin content up to 14.6%, and its underexpression decreased lignin content by 6.3%. Surprisingly, modification of BpCCR1 expression led to conspicuous changes in wood characteristics, including xylem vessel number and arrangement, and secondary wall thickness. The growth of transgenic trees in terms of height was also significantly influenced by the modification of BpCCR1 genes. We discuss the functions of BpCCR1 in the context of a phylogenetic tree built with CCR genes from multiple species.
State Key Laboratory of Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150040, China.
Wenbo
W
Zhang
State Key Laboratory of Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150040, China.|Harbin Research Institute of Forestry Machinery, State Forestry Administration, Harbin, 150086, China.
Rui
R
Wei
State Key Laboratory of Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150040, China.
Su
S
Chen
State Key Laboratory of Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150040, China.
Jing
J
Jiang
State Key Laboratory of Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150040, China.
Huiyu
H
Li
State Key Laboratory of Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150040, China.
Haijiao
H
Huang
State Key Laboratory of Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150040, China.
Guang
G
Yang
State Key Laboratory of Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150040, China.
Shuo
S
Wang
State Key Laboratory of Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150040, China.|Biotechnology Research Center, School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI 49931, USA.
Hairong
H
Wei
State Key Laboratory of Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150040, China.
Guifeng
G
Liu
D000445:Aldehyde Oxidoreductases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D001483:Base Sequence; D029662:Betula / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development; D018533:Biomass; D002473:Cell Wall / Q000378:metabolism; D015870:Gene Expression; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; D008031:Lignin / Q000378:metabolism*; D018519:Meristem / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009928:Organ Specificity; D010802:Phylogeny; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development; D018547:Plant Stems / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D014934:Wood / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development; D052584:Xylem / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development
D010940:Plant Proteins; D008031:Lignin; D000445:Aldehyde Oxidoreductases; C019904:cinnamoyl CoA reductase