title: The fasciclin-like arabinogalactan protein family of Eucalyptus grandis contains members that impact wood biology and biomechanics.
abstract: Fasciclin-like arabinogalactan protein (FLA) families have been identified and characterised in key plant species, with some members exhibiting functional specialization. Here we identify the FLA family of Eucalyptus grandis, and investigate the roles of three single-FAS domain FLAs, with particular focus on secondary cell-wall formation and wood properties. We use various in-silico approaches to identify and characterise E. grandis genome FLAs, and perform phylogenetic comparisons with other species. For three key FLAs, we perform functional testing including promoter-reporter and overexpression transgenic approaches using eucalypts, poplar and tobacco. Of the 18 eucalypt FLAs identified, several were specifically and highly expressed in stems. The specificity to stem xylem vessel and fibre development was demonstrated with EniFLA1promoter:GUS studies in several species. Testing of select eucalypt FLAs resulted in altered wood development and properties, for example 35S:EgrFLA2 led to a 3 degree reduction in cellulose microfibril angle in eucalypt xylem fibres, and 35S:EgrFLA3 to a reduction in tobacco stem flexural strength. These results indicate that the eucalypt FLA family contains diverse members, and particular members with single FAS domains that are functionally specialized for secondary cell wall growth and properties.
authors: CSIRO Agriculture Flagship, GPO Box 1600, Canberra, ACT , 2601, Australia.
authors: Colleen P
authors: CP
authors: MacMillan
authors: Department of Forest and Ecosystem Science, The University of Melbourne, Water Street, Creswick, VIC, 3363, Australia.
authors: Lynette
authors: L
authors: Taylor
authors: Crop Tillage and Cultivation Institute, Heilongjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, 150086, China.
authors: Yingdong
authors: Y
authors: Bi
authors: Gondwana Genomics, Pty Ltd, PO Box 9181, Deakin, ACT, 2600, Australia.
authors: Simon G
authors: SG
authors: Southerton
authors: The University of Melbourne, Burnley Campus, 500 Yarra Boulevard, Richmond, VIC, 3121, Australia.
authors: Rob
authors: R
authors: Evans
authors: Department of Forest and Ecosystem Science, The University of Melbourne, Water Street, Creswick, VIC, 3363, Australia.
authors: Antanas
authors: A
authors: Spokevicius
mesh_terms: D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002473:Cell Wall / Q000378:metabolism; D002482:Cellulose / Q000378:metabolism; D005052:Eucalyptus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology*; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; D018745:Genome, Plant; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D005966:Glucuronidase / Q000378:metabolism; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009088:Mucoproteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D005810:Multigene Family; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D018547:Plant Stems / Q000378:metabolism; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified; D032107:Populus / Q000235:genetics; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic / Q000235:genetics; D014026:Nicotiana / Q000235:genetics; D014170:Transformation, Genetic; D014934:Wood / Q000502:physiology*; D052584:Xylem / Q000235:genetics; D014994:Xylose / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D009088:Mucoproteins; D010940:Plant Proteins; C006619:arabinogalactan proteins; D002482:Cellulose; D014994:Xylose; D005966:Glucuronidase; D005947:Glucose
keywords: Eucalyptus; FLA; biomechanics; fasciclin-like arabinogalactan proteins; microfibril angle (MFA); wood