Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

Lignin is a complex polymer assembled from monolignol precursors derived from phenylalanine after several hydroxylation and methylation steps of the aromatic ring and reduction of the lateral chain. Three main monolignols, the p-coumaryl, coniferyl and sinapyl alcohols, give rise, respectively, to the hydroxyphenyl (H), guaiacyl (G), and syringyl (S) units of the polymer. A complete inventory of the genes potentially involved in the monolignol pathway in the model plant, Arabidopsis thaliana, is presented in this review. Genes encoding enzymes implicated in constitutive lignin synthesis were identified on the basis of their homology to monolignol biosynthesis genes of other plants and their high expression in lignified tissues (floral stems, roots). This overview shows that most of these genes belong to multigene families and that some (PAL, 4CL, CAD) are duplicated in this model plant. The genes encoding the cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (C4H, C3H, F5H) are unique except for F5H that has at least one homologue gene present in the complete genome. Mutants and transgenic Arabidopsis lines deregulated in the monolignol biosynthesis pathway are listed and the impact of the target gene deregulation on growth, and lignin content and structure are reported. © 2003 Éditions scientifiques et médicales Elsevier SAS. All rights reserved.

Original publication

DOI

10.1016/S0981-9428(03)00095-0

Type

Journal article

Journal

Plant Physiology and Biochemistry

Publication Date

01/08/2003

Volume

41

Pages

677 - 687