Plant carbohydrate‐active enzymes in bamboo Neosinocalamus affinis: identification, classification and function in lignocellulose biosynthesis in herbivore defence

Abstract

Neosinocalamus affinis, a type of cluster bamboo, is a good candidate feedstock for biomass energy. In this study, we identified 686 genes as members of CAZyme families in the N. affinis transcriptome. These genes included 222 glycoside hydrolases (GHs), 288 glycosyltransferases (GTs), 64 carbohydrate esterases (CEs), 70 auxiliary activities (AAs), 37 carbohydrate binding modules (CBMs) and five polysaccharide lyases (PLs). Expression profile analysis revealed that several CAZyme genes, particularly GT, GH, AA and CE family members, were up‐regulated after insect infestation. Lignocellulose assays showed that the contents of three components, namely, cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin, increased after insect infestation. CAZyme genes were abundant in the N. affinis transcriptome and were involved in herbivory response. These findings could be applied to the protection of bamboo against herbivores, such as the bamboo snout beetle Cyrtotrachelus buqueti, and in the development of low‐cost chemical feedstock from bamboo.