23 Jul Manipulation of lignin composition in plants using a tissue-specific promoter linked to a sequence encoding a phenylpropanoid pathway enzyme
Abstract
The specification describes the manipulation of the phenylpropanoid pathway and the regulation of protein synthesis through plant genetic engineering. More particularly, the specification relates to the introduction of a foreign nucleotide sequence into a plant genome, wherein the introduction of the nucleotide sequence effects an increase in the syringyl content of the plant’s lignin. In one specific aspect, the specification relates to methods for modifying the plant lignin composition in a plant cell by the introduction of a foreign nucleotide sequence comprising a tissue specific plant promoter sequence and a sequence encoding an active ferulate-5-hydroxylase (F5H) enzyme. Plant transformants harboring an inventive promoter-F5H construct demonstrate increased levels of syringyl monomer residues in their lignin, rendering the polymer more readily delignified and, thereby, rendering the plant more readily pulped or digested.
Year: 2000
Country: NZ
Doc No: 333755