LACCASE2 Negatively Regulates Lignin Deposition of Arabidopsis Roots.

Yunqing Yu

doi:10.1104/pp.20.00152

Abstract

Lignin is a complex aromatic biopolymer in the secondary cell wall of vascular plants. It is crucial for providing physical strength and pathogen resistance to the plant. Lignified xylem vessels are also necessary for efficient water transport. Lignin is formed by oxidative polymerization of

Highlights

Lignin is a complex aromatic biopolymer in the secondary cell wall of vascular plants
The lac4 lac17 double mutants contain 20% to 40% less lignin in the Arabidopsis stem compared to the wild type (Berthet et al, 2011)
Khandal et al (2020) showed that expression of these other LAC genes is not significantly changed in the lac2 background compared to the wild type, refuting the idea that the lac2 phenotype is due to overexpression of other LAC genes

Summary

Introduction

Lignin is a complex aromatic biopolymer in the secondary cell wall of vascular plants. In this issue of Plant Physiology, Khandal et al (2020) report that LACCASE2 (LAC2) is a negative regulator of lignin deposition in root vascular tissues under abiotic stress. In wild-type seedlings, the expression of LAC2 is drastically decreased by mannitol treatment, accompanied by increased lignin content in roots and arrested root growth.

Results

Conclusion