Trees: A Remarkable Biochemical Bounty

Patten, Ann M.; Vassão, Daniel Giddings; Wolcott, Michael P.; Davin, Laurence B.; Lewis, Norman G.

doi:10.1016/b978-008045382-8.00083-6

Cited by 24 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 364 publications

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“…This process was also observed in 12 species of trees from different families ( Saitoh et al, 1993 ). The composition of gum secreted by ray parenchyma can be complex and is different from the gum produced by secretory ducts ( Patten et al, 2010 ). Usually, gum production has been explained as a response to attacks by pathogens and as a protection from embolism ( Saitoh et al, 1993 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Laticifers in Sapindaceae: Structure, Evolution and Phylogenetic Importance

et al. 2021

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Laticifer occurrence and structure are poorly known in Sapindaceae. Occurrence is likely underestimated owing to the low production of latex in most species. We investigated 67 species from 23 genera of Sapindaceae to verify laticifer occurrence and their structural, developmental and chemical features, as well as their evolutionary history in the family. Shoots were collected from herbarium and fresh specimens for histological analyses. Three characters derived from laticifer features were coded and their ancestral states reconstructed through Bayesian stochastic mapping and maximum likelihood estimation. Only articulated non-anastomosing laticifers were found in Sapindaceae. Laticifers differentiate early during shoot development and are found in the cortex, phloem, and pith. Latex is mostly composed of lipids. Callose and suberin were detected in laticifer cell walls in some genera. Reconstruction of laticifer ancestral states showed that laticifers are present in most clades of Sapindaceae with some reversals. Callose in the laticifer cell wall was found exclusively in Serjania and Paullinia (tribe Paullinieae), a character regarded as independently derived. Occurrence of laticifers in Sapindaceae is broader than previously reported. Articulated non-anastomosing laticifers had five independent origins in Sapindaceae with some secondary losses, occurring in five out of six genera of Paullinieae and 10 other genera outside Paullinieae. Particularly, callose in the laticifer cell wall evolved independently twice in the family, and its occurrence may be interpreted as a key-innovation that promoted the diversification of Paullinia and Serjania. Our study suggests that laticifer characters may be useful in understanding the generic relationships within the family.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Laticifers in Sapindaceae: Structure, Evolution and Phylogenetic Importance

et al. 2021

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“…Phenolic idioblasts present in the bark of woody plants can serve as constitutive anti-feeding defensive agents [ 40 , 41 ]. Phenolics are known as signaling substances released in response to pathogen invasion [ 42 , 43 ].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mechanical and phytochemical protection mechanisms of Calligonum comosum in arid deserts

et al. 2018

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Unlike animals, plants are sessile organisms, lacking circulating antibodies and specialized immune cells and are exposed to various harsh environmental conditions that make them at risk of being attacked by different pathogens and herbivores. Plants produce chemo-signals to respond to the surroundings and be able to distinguish between harmless and harmful signals. In this study, the production of phytochemicals as plant signaling mechanisms and their defensive roles in disease resistance and repelling herbivores are examined in Calligonum comosum. C. comosum is a leafless standalone perennial shrub widespread in sand dunes. The plant has the ability to survive the drastic environmental conditions of the arid/ hyperarid deserts of the Arabia. Structural anatomy and phytochemicals analyses were used to identify both mechanical and chemical defensive mechanisms in C. comosum. Microscopy-based investigations indicated that stems of this species developed hard structures in its outer layers including sclerenchyma and cluster crystals of calcium oxalate (CaOx). Sclerenchyma and CaOx are difficult to be eaten by herbivores and insects and can harm their mouthparts. On the other hand, the plant developed both short-distance (local) and long-distance (systematic over limited sphere) phytochemicals-producing cells located at its outer regions that is surrounding the inner nutrient-rich vascular system (VS). Local chemical was represented by phenolic idioblasts that were released in response to plant cutting. Systematic chemical was represented by toxic volatile oil containing~50% benzaldehyde derivative (cuminaldehyde). The oil caused strong killing effect on both mammalian cells and microbial pathogens via either direct addition or indirect exposure to its vapor. The plants lost the oil content and allowed fungal growth once cut and dried. The localization of both defensive mechanisms to the outer region of the plant seemed to protect the inner nutrient-rich VS and hence maintained the plant survival. Surprisingly, in relation to traditional folklore use as medicine, local people use only green parts of the plant and only during the winter, where the plant found devoid of volatile oil and phenolic idioblasts. Moreover, it PLOS ONE | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone

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“…2Q). This pattern suggests that phenolics were synthesized in the parenchyma cells, which is analogous to the process that occurs during heartwood formation (Gang et al, 1998;Taylor et al, 2002;Patten et al, 2010b). Indeed, the metabolites 1 to 4 identified here in brown wood, as well as kaempferol (5), its 7-O-glucoside (6), and dihydroquercetin (7), have also been reported present in sapwood, heartwood, and knots of various aspen species (P. tremula, P. tremuloides, and Populus grandidentata) in amounts ranging from 11 to 82 mg g -1 dry weight (Fernandez et al, 2001;Pietarinen et al, 2006).…”

Section: Wood Color Was Associated With Extractive Content and Deformmentioning

confidence: 99%

Antisense Down-Regulation of 4CL Expression Alters Lignification, Tree Growth, and Saccharification Potential of Field-Grown Poplar

Voelker

Lachenbruch²,

Meinzer³

et al. 2010

Plant Physiology

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187

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Transgenic down-regulation of the Pt4CL1 gene family encoding 4-coumarate:coenzyme A ligase (4CL) has been reported as a means for reducing lignin content in cell walls and increasing overall growth rates, thereby improving feedstock quality for paper and bioethanol production. Using hybrid poplar (Populus tremula 3 Populus alba), we applied this strategy and examined field-grown transformants for both effects on wood biochemistry and tree productivity. The reductions in lignin contents obtained correlated well with 4CL RNA expression, with a sharp decrease in lignin amount being observed for RNA expression below approximately 50% of the nontransgenic control. Relatively small lignin reductions of approximately 10% were associated with reduced productivity, decreased wood syringyl/guaiacyl lignin monomer ratios, and a small increase in the level of incorporation of H-monomers (p-hydroxyphenyl) into cell walls. Transgenic events with less than approximately 50% 4CL RNA expression were characterized by patches of reddish-brown discolored wood that had approximately twice the extractive content of controls (largely complex polyphenolics). There was no evidence that substantially reduced lignin contents increased growth rates or saccharification potential. Our results suggest that the capacity for lignin reduction is limited; below a threshold, large changes in wood chemistry and plant metabolism were observed that adversely affected productivity and potential ethanol yield. They also underline the importance of field studies to obtain physiologically meaningful results and to support technology development with transgenic trees.Composed of diverse layers of cellulose microfibrils and amorphous hemicelluloses within a matrix of pectins, proteins, and lignin, the secondary cell walls of plants are diverse in their morphology, chemistry, and physiological functions. Lignification is of particular interest, as it exhibits highly predictable temporal and spatial patterning and is the last major step in the structural reinforcement of cell walls before the protoplast is dissolved (Donaldson, 2001

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Trees: A Remarkable Biochemical Bounty

Cited by 24 publications

References 364 publications

Laticifers in Sapindaceae: Structure, Evolution and Phylogenetic Importance

Laticifers in Sapindaceae: Structure, Evolution and Phylogenetic Importance

Mechanical and phytochemical protection mechanisms of Calligonum comosum in arid deserts

Antisense Down-Regulation of 4CL Expression Alters Lignification, Tree Growth, and Saccharification Potential of Field-Grown Poplar

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