Most hardwoods, including the model tree Populus have secondary walls of xylan type. In such type of secondary walls, the acetylated glucuronoxylan is the main hemicellulose. The structure of such xylan is therefore predicted to play a crucial role in determining wood properties, but the impact of the different structural motifs on these properties is largely unknown. To study the effects on xylan structure on the different wood properties, we have used the transgenic approach in Populus. The structure of acetylated glucuronoxylan was modified either by altering the expression of native xylan biosynthesis-related genes or by introducing different fungal genes encoding xylan-digesting enzymes to Populus.The structural modifications in acetylated glucuronoxylan that were obtained in Populus wood using this technology include reduced acetylation levels, reduced glucurolyl chain substitution and reduced backbone length. Each of these modifications induced different changes in plant growth and in wood properties. Examples of the induced phenotypes will be discussed in a context of genetic modifications of wood for pulping, biofuels and other types of utilization.

<i>In planta</i> modification of acetylated glucuronoxylan: Impact on cell walls, lignocellulose, and plants

247th National Meeting (2014)

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In planta modification of acetylated glucuronoxylan: Impact on cell walls, lignocellulose, and plants