Method for modifying lignin biosynthesis in plants
AssigneesUniversity of Dundee, Vib Vzw, Universiteit Gent
InventorsWout Antoon Corneel Boerjan, Claire Halpin, Gordon Grant Simpson, Ruben Vanholme
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Abstract
The disclosure is based on the discovery of genes which influence lignin biosynthesis. In particular, the inventors have observed that if the expression, function and/or activity of these gene(s) (or any protein products thereof) is/are modulated, the lignin content of plants can be altered. As such, this disclosure provides plants, which exhibit modulated expression of one or more lipase/esterase/thioesterase family gene(s) and which may find application in methods for producing biofuels.
Claims20
A plant exhibiting modulated expression of one or more lipase/esterase/thioesterase family gene(s), wherein said plant comprises an altered or modified lignin and/or lignin composition.
A plant exhibiting modulated expression, function and/or activity of one or more lipase/esterase/thioesterase family gene(s), the one or more lipase/esterase/thioesterase family gene(s) being selected from the group consisting of:
- (i) a gene encoded by SEQ ID NO:
- 1 or a fragment thereof;
- (ii) a gene having a degree of identity or homology with SEQ ID NO:
- 1 or a fragment thereof;
- (iii) a gene encoded by any of SEQ ID NOS:
- 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15 or 17 or a fragment thereof;
- (iv) a gene having a degree of identity or homology with SEQ ID NOS:
- 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15 or 17;
- and
- (v) a gene encoding a protein functionally similar or equivalent to a protein encoded by any of SEQ ID NOS:
- 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15 or 17;
- wherein said plant comprises an altered or modified lignin and/or lignin composition.
A plant exhibiting modulated expression, function and/or activity of one or more esterase/lysophospholipase enzyme(s), the esterase/lysophospholipase enzyme(s) being selected from the group consisting of:
- (i) the peptide of SEQ ID NO:
- 2 or a fragment thereof;
- (ii) an esterase/lipophospholipase enzyme having a degree of homology/identity with SEQ ID NO:
- 2 or a fragment thereof;
- (iii) an esterase/lipophospholipase enzyme encoded by a sequence corresponding to SEQ ID NO:
- 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 or 18 or a fragment thereof;
- (iv) an esterase/lipophospholipase enzyme encoded by a polynucleotide having a degree of homology/identity with any of SEQ ID NOs:
- 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 or 18;
- and
- (v) an esterase/lipophospholipase enzyme functionally similar or equivalent to a lipophospholipase enzyme encoded by any of SEQ ID NOS:
- 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 or 18;
- wherein said plant comprises an altered or modified lignin and/or lignin composition.
The plant of any preceding claim, wherein the plant comprises one or more polynucleotides selected from the group consisting of:
- (i) polynucleotides complementary to a sequence derived from any one of SEQ ID NOs:
- 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15 or 17;
- (ii) one or more inverted repeat elements designed to silence one or more lipase/esterase/thioesterase family gene sequences;
- and
- (iii) exogenous polynucleotides that encode sections or parts of one or more lipase/esterase/thioesterase family gene(s).
A method of modifying the lignin content of a plant, said method comprising the step of
- modifying the expression of one or more lipase/esterase/thioesterase family gene(s) and/or the expression, function and/or activity of a lipase/esterase/thioesterase family protein(s) in the plant.
A genetically modified plant that exhibits modulated expression, function and/or activity of at least one enzyme selected from the group consisting of the peptide of SEQ ID NO:
- 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 or 18, wherein the genetically modified plant comprises:
- at least one polynucleotide selected from the group consisting of
- a polynucleotide complementary to a polynucleotide derived from at least one of SEQ ID NOs:
- 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, or 17;
- at least one inverted repeat element that silences at least one lipase/esterase/thioesterase family gene;
- and
- an exogenous polynucleotide that encodes a portion of at least one lipase/esterase/thioesterase family gene.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.