Overexpression of the scopoletin biosynthetic pathway enhances lignocellulosic biomass processing
Abstract
Lignin is the main factor limiting the enzymatic conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into fermentable sugars. To reduce the recalcitrance engendered by the lignin polymer, the coumarin scopoletin was incorporated into the lignin polymer through the simultaneous expression of FERULOYL-CoA 6′-HYDROXYLASE 1 ( F6′H1 ) and COUMARIN SYNTHASE ( COSY ) in lignifying cells in Arabidopsis . The transgenic lines overproduced scopoletin and incorporated it into the lignin polymer, without adversely affecting plant growth. About 3.3% of the lignin units in the transgenic lines were derived from scopoletin, thereby exceeding the levels of the traditional p- hydroxyphenyl units. Saccharification efficiency of alkali-pretreated scopoletin-overproducing lines was 40% higher than for wild type.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Pub Defense Publication
- Publication Date
- Jul 15, 2022
- Source ID
- 10.1126/sciadv.abo5738
Entities
People
- Barbara De Meester
- Geert Goeminne
- Hoon Kim
- Jacob Pollier
- John Ralph
- Kris Morreel
- Lennart Hoengenaert
- Marlies Wouters
- Ruben Vanholme
- Sandrien Desmet
- Steven Vandersyppe
- Wout Boerjan
Organizations
- Flanders Institute for Biotechnology
- Ghent University
- University of Wisconsin–Madison