Comparative genome analysis of lignin biosynthesis gene families across the plant kingdom.

ABSTRACT:

Background

As a major component of plant cell wall, lignin plays important roles in mechanical support, water transport, and stress responses. As the main cause for the recalcitrance of plant cell wall, lignin modification has been a major task for bioenergy feedstock improvement. The study of the evolution and function of lignin biosynthesis genes thus has two-fold implications. First, the lignin biosynthesis pathway provides an excellent model to study the coordinative evolution of a biochemical pathway in plants. Second, understanding the function and evolution of lignin biosynthesis genes will guide us to develop better strategies for bioenergy feedstock improvement.

Results

We analyzed lignin biosynthesis genes from fourteen plant species and one symbiotic fungal specie

SUBMITTER: Xu Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3226193 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature