Manipulating microRNA miR408 enhances both biomass yield and saccharification efficiency in poplar

Yayu Guo, Shufang Wang, Keji Yu, Hou-Ling Wang, Huimin Xu, Chengwei Song, Yuanyuan Zhao, Jialong Wen, Chunxiang Fu, Yu Li, Shuizhong Wang, Xi Zhang, Yan Zhang, Yuan Cao, Fenjuan Shao, Xiaohua Wang, Xin Deng, Tong Chen, Qiao Zhao, Lei Li, Guodong Wang, Paul Grünhofer, Lukas Schreiber, Yue Li, Guoyong Song, Richard A. Dixon () and Jinxing Lin ()
Additional contact information
Yayu Guo: Beijing Forestry University
Shufang Wang: Beijing Forestry University
Keji Yu: Beijing Forestry University
Hou-Ling Wang: Beijing Forestry University
Huimin Xu: Beijing Forestry University
Chengwei Song: Beijing Forestry University
Yuanyuan Zhao: Beijing Forestry University
Jialong Wen: Beijing Forestry University
Chunxiang Fu: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Yu Li: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Shuizhong Wang: Beijing Forestry University
Xi Zhang: Beijing Forestry University
Yan Zhang: Beijing Forestry University
Yuan Cao: Chinese Academy of Forestry
Fenjuan Shao: Chinese Academy of Forestry
Xiaohua Wang: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Xin Deng: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Tong Chen: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Qiao Zhao: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Lei Li: Peking University
Guodong Wang: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Paul Grünhofer: University of Bonn
Lukas Schreiber: University of Bonn
Yue Li: Beijing Forestry University
Guoyong Song: Beijing Forestry University
Richard A. Dixon: Beijing Forestry University
Jinxing Lin: Beijing Forestry University

Nature Communications, 2023, vol. 14, issue 1, 1-15

Abstract: Abstract The conversion of lignocellulosic feedstocks to fermentable sugar for biofuel production is inefficient, and most strategies to enhance efficiency directly target lignin biosynthesis, with associated negative growth impacts. Here we demonstrate, for both laboratory- and field-grown plants, that expression of Pag-miR408 in poplar (Populus alba × P. glandulosa) significantly enhances saccharification, with no requirement for acid-pretreatment, while promoting plant growth. The overexpression plants show increased accessibility of cell walls to cellulase and scaffoldin cellulose-binding modules. Conversely, Pag-miR408 loss-of-function poplar shows decreased cell wall accessibility. Overexpression of Pag-miR408 targets three Pag-LACCASES, delays lignification, and modestly reduces lignin content, S/G ratio and degree of lignin polymerization. Meanwhile, the LACCASE loss of function mutants exhibit significantly increased growth and cell wall accessibility in xylem. Our study shows how Pag-miR408 regulates lignification and secondary growth, and suggest an effective approach towards enhancing biomass yield and saccharification efficiency in a major bioenergy crop.

Date: 2023
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-39930-3

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