Overexpression of a Domain of Unknown Function 266-containing Protein Improves Biofuel-related Properties in Populus
March 29, 2017http://biotechnologyforbiofuels.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13068-017-0760-x
| |
The Domain of Unknown Function 266 (DUF266) is a plant-specific domain. While DUF266-containing proteins (DUF266 proteins) have been categorized, little is known about their function. Oak Ridge National Laboratory conducted a study to functionally characterize these proteins.
Phylogenetic analysis revealed that DUF266 proteins are only present in land plants, including moss and lycophyte. The team focused on the functional characterization of one member of DUF266 proteins in Populus, PdDUF266A. PdDUF266A was found to be highly expressed in the xylem. Populus transgenic plants overexpressing PdDUF266A (OXPdDUF266A) exhibited significantly higher glucose and cellulose contents, while the lignin content was lower than that in wildtypes.
Gene expression analysis indicated that cellulose biosynthesis-related genes, such as CESA and SUSY, were upregulated in mature leaf and xylem of OXPdDUF266A plants. Moreover, PdDUF266A overexpression resulted in an increase of biomass production. Results from saccharification treatment also revealed that the rate of sugar release was increased by approximately 38% in the OXPdDUF266A plants.
These results suggest that the overexpression of PdDUF266A can increase cellulose content, reduce recalcitrance, and enhance biomass production.
| |
Biotech Updates is a weekly newsletter of ISAAA, a not-for-profit organization. It is distributed for free to over 22,000 subscribers worldwide to inform them about the key developments in biosciences, especially in biotechnology. Your support will help us in our mission to feed the world with knowledge. You can help by donating as little as $10.
-
See more articles:
-
News from Around the World
- International Consortium Sequences Resurrection Plant to Develop Drought Tolerant Crops
- Study Reveals Farming Becoming Riskier Under Climate Change
- Canadian Farmers to Plant GE Potatoes for the First Time
- GAIN Reports Korea's New Biotech Labeling Requirements
- Pakistan's Sindh Seed Council Assesses 21 New Seed Varieties Including 6 Bt Cotton Varieties
- EFSA Releases Risk Assessment of Information on Subcombination of Events of Four-trait Maize Event
- Princess Anne Says Ruling Out GM Crops Not Practical
-
Research Highlights
- Nagoya University Discovers Molecular Shoot-to-root Signal System in Nitrogen-starved Plants
- Overexpression of Del Gene from Snapdragon Improves Anthocyanin Accumulation and Abiotic Stress Tolerance in Tobacco
-
Beyond Crop Biotech
- Wageningen Researchers Release Detailed Genetic Map of Roses
- Scientists Discover Gene that Doubles Artemisinin Production in Artemisia annua Plant
-
Resources
- The Green G-Nome's Guide to GM Crops and Policies in the EU
- #KnowtheScience Social Media Campaign
-
Plant
- Development of Barley with Heritable Disrupted ENGase Gene via CRISPR-Cas9
- DNA Methylation Affects the Efficiency of TALEN-mediated Genome Editing in Rice
-
Read the latest: - Biotech Updates (May 7, 2025)
- Gene Editing Supplement (April 30, 2025)
- Gene Drive Supplement (February 22, 2023)
-
Subscribe to BU: - Share
- Tweet