Isabelle Mila - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Isabelle Mila

A promoter-trap screen allowed us to identify an Arabidopsis line expressing GUS in the root vasc... more A promoter-trap screen allowed us to identify an Arabidopsis line expressing GUS in the root vascular tissues. T- DNA border sequencing showed that the line was mutated in the caffeic acid O-methyltransferase 1 gene (AtOMT1) and therefore deficient in OMT1 activity. Atomt1 is a knockout mutant and the expression profile of the AtOMT1 gene has been determined as well as

Planta, 2003

Cinnamoyl CoA reductase (CCR; EC 1.2.1.44) is the first enzyme specific to the biosynthetic pathw... more Cinnamoyl CoA reductase (CCR; EC 1.2.1.44) is the first enzyme specific to the biosynthetic pathway leading to monolignols. Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. plants transformed with a vector containing a full-length AtCCR1 cDNA in an antisense orientation were obtained and characterized. The most severely down-regulated homozygous plants showed drastic alterations to their phenotypical features. These plants had a 50% decrease in lignin content accompanied by changes in lignin composition and structure, with incorporation of ferulic acid into the cell wall. Microscopic analyses coupled with immunolabelling revealed a decrease in lignin deposition in normally lignified tissues and a dramatic loosening of the secondary cell wall of interfascicular fibers and vessels. Evaluation of in vitro digestibility demonstrated an increase in the enzymatic degradability of these transgenic lines. In addition, culture conditions were shown to play a substantial role in lignin level and structure in...

Plant molecular biology, 2003

A promoter-trap screen allowed us to identify an Arabidopsis line expressing GUS in the root vasc... more A promoter-trap screen allowed us to identify an Arabidopsis line expressing GUS in the root vascular tissues. T-DNA border sequencing showed that the line was mutated in the caffeic acid O-methyltransferase 1 gene (AtOMT1) and therefore deficient in OMT1 activity. Atomt1 is a knockout mutant and the expression profile of the AtOMT1 gene has been determined as well as the consequences of the mutation on lignins, on soluble phenolics, on cell wall digestibility, and on the expression of the genes involved in monolignol biosynthesis. In this mutant and relative to the wild type, lignins lack syringyl (S) units and contain more 5-hydroxyguaiacyl units (5-OH-G), the precursors of S-units. The sinapoyl ester pool is modified with a two-fold reduction of sinapoyl-malate in the leaves and stems of mature plants as well as in seedlings. In addition, LC-MS analysis of the soluble phenolics extracted from the seedlings reveals the occurrence of unusual derivatives assigned to 5-OH-feruloyl ma...

Plant Science, 2008

Transcriptional co-activators of the Multiprotein Bridging Factor1 (MBF1) type belong to a multig... more Transcriptional co-activators of the Multiprotein Bridging Factor1 (MBF1) type belong to a multigenic family that encode key components of the machinery controlling gene expression by communicating between transcription factors and the basal transcription machinery. Knocking-down the expression of one member of the family has proved difficult probably due to functional redundancy. We show here that a fusion of SlER24, an MBF1 type gene of tomato, to the Ethylene-responsive element-binding associated Amphiphilic Repression (EAR) motif is capable of slowing down significantly the expression of the GFP protein driven by a synthetic ethylene-responsive GCC-rich promoter in a single cell transient expression system. A fusion of AtMBF1c of Arabidopsis to EAR, driven by the 35S promoter, caused a reduction of the percentage of seed germination and dwarfism of the plant. Similar fusion with the SlER24 of tomato in the MicroTom cultivar induced a delay of seed germination and no obvious effect on plant growth. Besides giving information on the role of the MBF1 genes in plant development, this study demonstrates that the EAR strategy is efficient not only for regular transcription factors as demonstrated so far, but also in the case of co-activators known to not bind directly to DNA.

PLoS ONE, 2014

Auxin is a central hormone involved in a wide range of developmental processes including the spec... more Auxin is a central hormone involved in a wide range of developmental processes including the specification of vascular stem cells. Auxin Response Factors (ARF) are important actors of the auxin signalling pathway, regulating the transcription of auxin-responsive genes through direct binding to their promoters. The recent availability of the Eucalyptus grandis genome sequence allowed us to examine the characteristics and evolutionary history of this gene family in a woody plant of high economic importance. With 17 members, the E. grandis ARF gene family is slightly contracted, as compared to those of most angiosperms studied hitherto, lacking traces of duplication events. In silico analysis of alternative transcripts and gene truncation suggested that these two mechanisms were preeminent in shaping the functional diversity of the ARF family in Eucalyptus. Comparative phylogenetic analyses with genomes of other taxonomic lineages revealed the presence of a new ARF clade found preferentially in woody and/or perennial plants. High-throughput expression profiling among different organs and tissues and in response to environmental cues highlighted genes expressed in vascular cambium and/or developing xylem, responding dynamically to various environmental stimuli. Finally, this study allowed identification of three ARF candidates potentially involved in the auxin-regulated transcriptional program underlying wood formation.

Journal of experimental botany, 2014

Ethylene has long been considered the key regulator of ripening in climacteric fruit. Recent evid... more Ethylene has long been considered the key regulator of ripening in climacteric fruit. Recent evidence showed that auxin also plays an important role during fruit ripening, but the nature of the interaction between the two hormones has remained unclear. To understand the differences in ethylene- and auxin-related behaviours that might reveal how the two hormones interact, we compared two plum (Prunus salicina L.) cultivars with widely varying fruit development and ripening ontogeny. The early-ripening cultivar, Early Golden (EG), exhibited high endogenous auxin levels and auxin hypersensitivity during fruit development, while the late-ripening cultivar, V98041 (V9), displayed reduced auxin content and sensitivity. We show that exogenous auxin is capable of dramatically accelerating fruit development and ripening in plum, indicating that this hormone is actively involved in the ripening process. Further, we demonstrate that the variations in auxin sensitivity between plum cultivars co...

Plant and Cell Physiology, 2015

Auxin plays a pivotal role in various plant growth and development processes, including vascular ... more Auxin plays a pivotal role in various plant growth and development processes, including vascular differentiation. The modulation of auxin responsiveness through the auxin perception and signaling machinery is believed to be a major regulatory mechanism controlling cambium activity and wood formation. To gain more insights into the roles of key Aux/IAA gene regulators of the auxin response in these processes, we identified and characterized members of the Aux/IAA family in the genome of Eucalyptus grandis, a tree of worldwide economic importance. We found that the gene family in Eucalyptus is slightly smaller than that in Populus and Arabidopsis, but all phylogenetic groups are represented. High-throughput expression profiling of different organs and tissues highlighted several Aux/IAA genes expressed in vascular cambium and/or developing xylem, some showing differential expression in response to developmental (juvenile vs. mature) and/or to environmental (tension stress) cues. Based on the expression profiles, we selected a promising candidate gene, EgrIAA4, for functional characterization. We showed that EgrIAA4 protein is localized in the nucleus and functions as an auxin-responsive repressor. Overexpressing a stabilized version of EgrIAA4 in Arabidopsis dramatically impeded plant growth and fertility and induced auxin-insensitive phenotypes such as inhibition of primary root elongation, lateral root emergence and agravitropism. Interestingly, the lignified secondary walls of the interfascicular fibers appeared very late, whereas those of the xylary fibers were virtually undetectable, suggesting that EgrIAA4 may play crucial roles in fiber development and secondary cell wall deposition.

The agronomic and pulping performance of transgenic trees with altered lignin has been evaluated ... more The agronomic and pulping performance of transgenic trees with altered lignin has been evaluated in dupli- cated, long-term field trials. Poplars expressing cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase (CAD) or caffeate/5-hydroxy- ferulate O-methyltransferase (COMT) antisense transgenes were grown for four years at two sites, in France and England. The trees remained healthy throughout the trial. Growth indicators and interactions with insects were normal. No changes in soil microbial communities were detected beneath the transgenic trees. The expected modifications to lignin were maintained in the transgenics over four years, at both sites. Kraft pulp- ing of tree trunks showed that the reduced-CAD lines had improved characteristics, allowing easier delignifi- cation, using smaller amounts of chemicals, while yielding more high-quality pulp. This work highlights the potential of engineering wood quality for more environmentally benign papermaking without interfering with tree growth or fitness.

A promoter-trap screen allowed us to identify an Arabidopsis line expressing GUS in the root vasc... more A promoter-trap screen allowed us to identify an Arabidopsis line expressing GUS in the root vascular tissues. T- DNA border sequencing showed that the line was mutated in the caffeic acid O-methyltransferase 1 gene (AtOMT1) and therefore deficient in OMT1 activity. Atomt1 is a knockout mutant and the expression profile of the AtOMT1 gene has been determined as well as the consequences of the mutation on lignins, on soluble phenolics, on cell wall digestibility, and on the expression of the genes involved in monolignol biosynthesis. In this mutant and relative to the wild type, lignins lack syringyl (S) units and contain more 5-hydroxyguaiacyl units (5-OH-G), the precursors of S-units. The sinapoyl ester pool is modified with a two-fold reduction of sinapoyl-malate in the leaves and stems of mature plants as well as in seedlings. In addition, LC-MS analysis of the soluble phenolics extracted from the seedlings reveals the occurrence of unusual derivatives assigned to 5-OH-feruloyl m...

The Plant Journal, 2006

Arabidopsis thaliana has nine genes that constitute a family of putative carotenoid cleavage diox... more Arabidopsis thaliana has nine genes that constitute a family of putative carotenoid cleavage dioxygenases (CCDs). While five members of the family are believed to be involved in synthesis of the phytohormone abscisic acid, the functions of the other four enzymes are less clear. Recently two of the enzymes, CCD7/MAX3 and CCD8/MAX4, have been implicated in synthesis of a novel apocarotenoid hormone that controls lateral shoot growth. Here, we report on the molecular and genetic interactions between CCD1, CCD7/MAX3 and CCD8/ MAX4. CCD1 distinguishes itself from other reported CCDs as being the only member not targeted to the plastid. Unlike ccd7/max3 and ccd8/max4, both characterized as having highly branched phenotypes, ccd1 loss-of-function mutants are indistinguishable from wild-type plants. Thus, even though CCD1 has similar enzymatic activity to CCD7/MAX3, it does not have a role in synthesis of the lateral shoot growth inhibitor. Rather, it may have a role in synthesis of apocarotenoid flavor and aroma volatiles, especially in maturing seeds where loss of function leads to significantly higher carotenoid levels.

The Plant Journal, 2013

These authors contributed equally to this work.

PLoS ONE, 2014

Background: The phytohormone auxin is involved in a wide range of developmental processes and aux... more Background: The phytohormone auxin is involved in a wide range of developmental processes and auxin signaling is known to modulate the expression of target genes via two types of transcriptional regulators, namely, Aux/IAA and Auxin Response Factors (ARF). ARFs play a major role in transcriptional activation or repression through direct binding to the promoter of auxin-responsive genes. The present study aims at gaining better insight on distinctive structural and functional features among ARF proteins.

Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, 2002

Ferulate-5-hydroxylase or coniferaldehyde 5-hydroxylase (F5H or Cald5H; CYP84A1) is the enzyme re... more Ferulate-5-hydroxylase or coniferaldehyde 5-hydroxylase (F5H or Cald5H; CYP84A1) is the enzyme responsible for the last hydroxylation of the syringyl-type lignin precursors. A cDNA clone highly homologous to the Arabidopsis thaliana F5H/Cald5H cDNA was identified during the random sequencing of a poplar (Populus trichocarpa) differentiating xylem cDNA library. Present as a multigenic family in poplar, this gene (PopF5H) was found to be highly expressed in lignified tissues supporting its role in lignin biosynthesis. When placed under the control of the CaMV 35S promoter, the poplar F5H was able to complement the A. thaliana fah1-2 mutation. Overexpression in wild-type A. thaliana substantially increased the level of syringyl units in lignins. These transgenic lines were also typified by substantial levels of S-units in root lignins, whereas these units are present in low amounts in wild-type A. thaliana. These results support that PopF5H is a functional homolog of the A. thaliana F5H gene.

PLANT PHYSIOLOGY, 2002

Transgenic maize (Zea mays) plants were generated with a construct harboring a maize caffeic acid... more Transgenic maize (Zea mays) plants were generated with a construct harboring a maize caffeic acid O-methyltransferase (COMT) cDNA in the antisense (AS) orientation under the control of the maize Adh1 (alcohol dehydrogenase) promoter. Adh1-driven ␤-glucuronidase expression was localized in vascular tissues and lignifying sclerenchyma, indicating its suitability in transgenic experiments aimed at modifying lignin content and composition. One line of AS plants, COMT-AS, displayed a significant reduction in COMT activity (15%-30% residual activity) and barely detectable amounts of COMT protein as determined by western-blot analysis. In this line, transgenes were shown to be stably integrated in the genome and transmitted to the progeny. Biochemical analysis of COMT-AS showed: (a) a strong decrease in Klason lignin content at the flowering stage, (b) a decrease in syringyl units, (c) a lower p-coumaric acid content, and (d) the occurrence of unusual 5-OH guaiacyl units. These results are reminiscent of some characteristics already observed for the maize bm3 (brown-midrib3) mutant, as well as for COMT down-regulated dicots. However, as compared with bm3, COMT down-regulation in the COMT-AS line is less severe in that it is restricted to sclerenchyma cells. To our knowledge, this is the first time that an AS strategy has been applied to modify lignin biosynthesis in a grass species. * Corresponding author; e-mail pichon@smcv.ups-tlse.fr; fax 33-562-19 -35-02.

PLANT PHYSIOLOGY, 2002

fax: 44 -0 -1382-344275.

PLANT PHYSIOLOGY, 2003

Studying Arabidopsis mutants of the phenylpropanoid pathway has unraveled several biosynthetic st... more Studying Arabidopsis mutants of the phenylpropanoid pathway has unraveled several biosynthetic steps of monolignol synthesis. Most of the genes leading to monolignol synthesis have been characterized recently in this herbaceous plant, except those encoding cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase (CAD). We have used the complete sequencing of the Arabidopsis genome to highlight a new view of the complete CAD gene family. Among nine AtCAD genes, we have identified the two distinct paralogs AtCAD-C and AtCAD-D, which share 75% identity and are likely to be involved in lignin biosynthesis in other plants. Northern, semiquantitative restriction fragment-length polymorphism-reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and western analysis revealed that AtCAD-C and AtCAD-D mRNA and protein ratios were organ dependent. Promoter activities of both genes are high in fibers and in xylem bundles. However, AtCAD-C displayed a larger range of sites of expression than AtCAD-D. Arabidopsis null mutants (Atcad-D and Atcad-C) corresponding to both genes were isolated. CAD activities were drastically reduced in both mutants, with a higher impact on sinapyl alcohol dehydrogenase activity (6% and 38% of residual sinapyl alcohol dehydrogenase activities for Atcad-D and Atcad-C, respectively). Only Atcad-D showed a slight reduction in Klason lignin content and displayed modifications of lignin structure with a significant reduced proportion of conventional S lignin units in both stems and roots, together with the incorporation of sinapaldehyde structures ether linked at C␤. These results argue for a substantial role of AtCAD-D in lignification, and more specifically in the biosynthesis of sinapyl alcohol, the precursor of S lignin units. ; fax 33-1-30 -83-3099.

Phytochemistry, 2004

A series of transgenic poplars down-regulated for cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase (CAD) was analyz... more A series of transgenic poplars down-regulated for cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase (CAD) was analyzed by thioacidolysis. Among the lignin-derived monomers, the indene compounds that were recently shown to originate from sinapaldehyde incorporated into lignins through 8-O-4-cross-coupling, were found to increase as a function of CAD deficiency level. While these syringyl markers were recovered in substantial amounts in the most severely depressed lines, the markers for coniferaldehyde incorporation were recovered in only low amounts. In conjunction with these additional sinapaldehyde units and relative to the control samples, lignins in CAD-deficient poplar lines had less conventional syringyl-units and b-O-4-bonds and more free phenolic groups. We found that almost half of the polymers in the most deficient lines could be solubilized in alkali and at room temperature. This unusual behavior suggests that lignins in CAD-deficient poplars occur as small, alkali-leachable lignin domains. That mainly sinapaldehyde incorporates into the lignins of CAD-deficient poplars suggests that the recently identified sinapyl alcohol dehydrogenase (SAD), which is structurally distinct from the CAD enzyme targeted herein, does not play any substantial role in constitutive lignification in poplar.

Phytochemistry, 1998

Eight phenolic compounds "castalin\ castalagin\ vescalagin\ kurigalin\ 4!O!galloylhamamelose\ "2?... more Eight phenolic compounds "castalin\ castalagin\ vescalagin\ kurigalin\ 4!O!galloylhamamelose\ "2?\ 4?!dimethoxy!3?!hydroxyphenol#!0!O!b!D!"5!O!galloyl#glucose\ chestanin\ and acutissimin A# were isolated from chestnut bark and their structures elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analyses[ Evidence for strong intermolecular associations of 4!O!galloylhamamelose is presented on the basis of NMR and mass spectroscopic data[ Þ 0887

Phytochemistry, 1997

Keg Word Index-P.veudot.ru,yo rmvriesii; Pinaceae: Douglas-fir; sapwood; heartwood; duraminisatio... more Keg Word Index-P.veudot.ru,yo rmvriesii; Pinaceae: Douglas-fir; sapwood; heartwood; duraminisation: phenolic compounds: dihydroquercetin.

A promoter-trap screen allowed us to identify an Arabidopsis line expressing GUS in the root vasc... more A promoter-trap screen allowed us to identify an Arabidopsis line expressing GUS in the root vascular tissues. T- DNA border sequencing showed that the line was mutated in the caffeic acid O-methyltransferase 1 gene (AtOMT1) and therefore deficient in OMT1 activity. Atomt1 is a knockout mutant and the expression profile of the AtOMT1 gene has been determined as well as

Planta, 2003

Cinnamoyl CoA reductase (CCR; EC 1.2.1.44) is the first enzyme specific to the biosynthetic pathw... more Cinnamoyl CoA reductase (CCR; EC 1.2.1.44) is the first enzyme specific to the biosynthetic pathway leading to monolignols. Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. plants transformed with a vector containing a full-length AtCCR1 cDNA in an antisense orientation were obtained and characterized. The most severely down-regulated homozygous plants showed drastic alterations to their phenotypical features. These plants had a 50% decrease in lignin content accompanied by changes in lignin composition and structure, with incorporation of ferulic acid into the cell wall. Microscopic analyses coupled with immunolabelling revealed a decrease in lignin deposition in normally lignified tissues and a dramatic loosening of the secondary cell wall of interfascicular fibers and vessels. Evaluation of in vitro digestibility demonstrated an increase in the enzymatic degradability of these transgenic lines. In addition, culture conditions were shown to play a substantial role in lignin level and structure in...

Plant molecular biology, 2003

A promoter-trap screen allowed us to identify an Arabidopsis line expressing GUS in the root vasc... more A promoter-trap screen allowed us to identify an Arabidopsis line expressing GUS in the root vascular tissues. T-DNA border sequencing showed that the line was mutated in the caffeic acid O-methyltransferase 1 gene (AtOMT1) and therefore deficient in OMT1 activity. Atomt1 is a knockout mutant and the expression profile of the AtOMT1 gene has been determined as well as the consequences of the mutation on lignins, on soluble phenolics, on cell wall digestibility, and on the expression of the genes involved in monolignol biosynthesis. In this mutant and relative to the wild type, lignins lack syringyl (S) units and contain more 5-hydroxyguaiacyl units (5-OH-G), the precursors of S-units. The sinapoyl ester pool is modified with a two-fold reduction of sinapoyl-malate in the leaves and stems of mature plants as well as in seedlings. In addition, LC-MS analysis of the soluble phenolics extracted from the seedlings reveals the occurrence of unusual derivatives assigned to 5-OH-feruloyl ma...

Plant Science, 2008

Transcriptional co-activators of the Multiprotein Bridging Factor1 (MBF1) type belong to a multig... more Transcriptional co-activators of the Multiprotein Bridging Factor1 (MBF1) type belong to a multigenic family that encode key components of the machinery controlling gene expression by communicating between transcription factors and the basal transcription machinery. Knocking-down the expression of one member of the family has proved difficult probably due to functional redundancy. We show here that a fusion of SlER24, an MBF1 type gene of tomato, to the Ethylene-responsive element-binding associated Amphiphilic Repression (EAR) motif is capable of slowing down significantly the expression of the GFP protein driven by a synthetic ethylene-responsive GCC-rich promoter in a single cell transient expression system. A fusion of AtMBF1c of Arabidopsis to EAR, driven by the 35S promoter, caused a reduction of the percentage of seed germination and dwarfism of the plant. Similar fusion with the SlER24 of tomato in the MicroTom cultivar induced a delay of seed germination and no obvious effect on plant growth. Besides giving information on the role of the MBF1 genes in plant development, this study demonstrates that the EAR strategy is efficient not only for regular transcription factors as demonstrated so far, but also in the case of co-activators known to not bind directly to DNA.

PLoS ONE, 2014

Auxin is a central hormone involved in a wide range of developmental processes including the spec... more Auxin is a central hormone involved in a wide range of developmental processes including the specification of vascular stem cells. Auxin Response Factors (ARF) are important actors of the auxin signalling pathway, regulating the transcription of auxin-responsive genes through direct binding to their promoters. The recent availability of the Eucalyptus grandis genome sequence allowed us to examine the characteristics and evolutionary history of this gene family in a woody plant of high economic importance. With 17 members, the E. grandis ARF gene family is slightly contracted, as compared to those of most angiosperms studied hitherto, lacking traces of duplication events. In silico analysis of alternative transcripts and gene truncation suggested that these two mechanisms were preeminent in shaping the functional diversity of the ARF family in Eucalyptus. Comparative phylogenetic analyses with genomes of other taxonomic lineages revealed the presence of a new ARF clade found preferentially in woody and/or perennial plants. High-throughput expression profiling among different organs and tissues and in response to environmental cues highlighted genes expressed in vascular cambium and/or developing xylem, responding dynamically to various environmental stimuli. Finally, this study allowed identification of three ARF candidates potentially involved in the auxin-regulated transcriptional program underlying wood formation.

Journal of experimental botany, 2014

Ethylene has long been considered the key regulator of ripening in climacteric fruit. Recent evid... more Ethylene has long been considered the key regulator of ripening in climacteric fruit. Recent evidence showed that auxin also plays an important role during fruit ripening, but the nature of the interaction between the two hormones has remained unclear. To understand the differences in ethylene- and auxin-related behaviours that might reveal how the two hormones interact, we compared two plum (Prunus salicina L.) cultivars with widely varying fruit development and ripening ontogeny. The early-ripening cultivar, Early Golden (EG), exhibited high endogenous auxin levels and auxin hypersensitivity during fruit development, while the late-ripening cultivar, V98041 (V9), displayed reduced auxin content and sensitivity. We show that exogenous auxin is capable of dramatically accelerating fruit development and ripening in plum, indicating that this hormone is actively involved in the ripening process. Further, we demonstrate that the variations in auxin sensitivity between plum cultivars co...

Plant and Cell Physiology, 2015

Auxin plays a pivotal role in various plant growth and development processes, including vascular ... more Auxin plays a pivotal role in various plant growth and development processes, including vascular differentiation. The modulation of auxin responsiveness through the auxin perception and signaling machinery is believed to be a major regulatory mechanism controlling cambium activity and wood formation. To gain more insights into the roles of key Aux/IAA gene regulators of the auxin response in these processes, we identified and characterized members of the Aux/IAA family in the genome of Eucalyptus grandis, a tree of worldwide economic importance. We found that the gene family in Eucalyptus is slightly smaller than that in Populus and Arabidopsis, but all phylogenetic groups are represented. High-throughput expression profiling of different organs and tissues highlighted several Aux/IAA genes expressed in vascular cambium and/or developing xylem, some showing differential expression in response to developmental (juvenile vs. mature) and/or to environmental (tension stress) cues. Based on the expression profiles, we selected a promising candidate gene, EgrIAA4, for functional characterization. We showed that EgrIAA4 protein is localized in the nucleus and functions as an auxin-responsive repressor. Overexpressing a stabilized version of EgrIAA4 in Arabidopsis dramatically impeded plant growth and fertility and induced auxin-insensitive phenotypes such as inhibition of primary root elongation, lateral root emergence and agravitropism. Interestingly, the lignified secondary walls of the interfascicular fibers appeared very late, whereas those of the xylary fibers were virtually undetectable, suggesting that EgrIAA4 may play crucial roles in fiber development and secondary cell wall deposition.

The agronomic and pulping performance of transgenic trees with altered lignin has been evaluated ... more The agronomic and pulping performance of transgenic trees with altered lignin has been evaluated in dupli- cated, long-term field trials. Poplars expressing cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase (CAD) or caffeate/5-hydroxy- ferulate O-methyltransferase (COMT) antisense transgenes were grown for four years at two sites, in France and England. The trees remained healthy throughout the trial. Growth indicators and interactions with insects were normal. No changes in soil microbial communities were detected beneath the transgenic trees. The expected modifications to lignin were maintained in the transgenics over four years, at both sites. Kraft pulp- ing of tree trunks showed that the reduced-CAD lines had improved characteristics, allowing easier delignifi- cation, using smaller amounts of chemicals, while yielding more high-quality pulp. This work highlights the potential of engineering wood quality for more environmentally benign papermaking without interfering with tree growth or fitness.

A promoter-trap screen allowed us to identify an Arabidopsis line expressing GUS in the root vasc... more A promoter-trap screen allowed us to identify an Arabidopsis line expressing GUS in the root vascular tissues. T- DNA border sequencing showed that the line was mutated in the caffeic acid O-methyltransferase 1 gene (AtOMT1) and therefore deficient in OMT1 activity. Atomt1 is a knockout mutant and the expression profile of the AtOMT1 gene has been determined as well as the consequences of the mutation on lignins, on soluble phenolics, on cell wall digestibility, and on the expression of the genes involved in monolignol biosynthesis. In this mutant and relative to the wild type, lignins lack syringyl (S) units and contain more 5-hydroxyguaiacyl units (5-OH-G), the precursors of S-units. The sinapoyl ester pool is modified with a two-fold reduction of sinapoyl-malate in the leaves and stems of mature plants as well as in seedlings. In addition, LC-MS analysis of the soluble phenolics extracted from the seedlings reveals the occurrence of unusual derivatives assigned to 5-OH-feruloyl m...

The Plant Journal, 2006

Arabidopsis thaliana has nine genes that constitute a family of putative carotenoid cleavage diox... more Arabidopsis thaliana has nine genes that constitute a family of putative carotenoid cleavage dioxygenases (CCDs). While five members of the family are believed to be involved in synthesis of the phytohormone abscisic acid, the functions of the other four enzymes are less clear. Recently two of the enzymes, CCD7/MAX3 and CCD8/MAX4, have been implicated in synthesis of a novel apocarotenoid hormone that controls lateral shoot growth. Here, we report on the molecular and genetic interactions between CCD1, CCD7/MAX3 and CCD8/ MAX4. CCD1 distinguishes itself from other reported CCDs as being the only member not targeted to the plastid. Unlike ccd7/max3 and ccd8/max4, both characterized as having highly branched phenotypes, ccd1 loss-of-function mutants are indistinguishable from wild-type plants. Thus, even though CCD1 has similar enzymatic activity to CCD7/MAX3, it does not have a role in synthesis of the lateral shoot growth inhibitor. Rather, it may have a role in synthesis of apocarotenoid flavor and aroma volatiles, especially in maturing seeds where loss of function leads to significantly higher carotenoid levels.

The Plant Journal, 2013

These authors contributed equally to this work.

PLoS ONE, 2014

Background: The phytohormone auxin is involved in a wide range of developmental processes and aux... more Background: The phytohormone auxin is involved in a wide range of developmental processes and auxin signaling is known to modulate the expression of target genes via two types of transcriptional regulators, namely, Aux/IAA and Auxin Response Factors (ARF). ARFs play a major role in transcriptional activation or repression through direct binding to the promoter of auxin-responsive genes. The present study aims at gaining better insight on distinctive structural and functional features among ARF proteins.

Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, 2002

Ferulate-5-hydroxylase or coniferaldehyde 5-hydroxylase (F5H or Cald5H; CYP84A1) is the enzyme re... more Ferulate-5-hydroxylase or coniferaldehyde 5-hydroxylase (F5H or Cald5H; CYP84A1) is the enzyme responsible for the last hydroxylation of the syringyl-type lignin precursors. A cDNA clone highly homologous to the Arabidopsis thaliana F5H/Cald5H cDNA was identified during the random sequencing of a poplar (Populus trichocarpa) differentiating xylem cDNA library. Present as a multigenic family in poplar, this gene (PopF5H) was found to be highly expressed in lignified tissues supporting its role in lignin biosynthesis. When placed under the control of the CaMV 35S promoter, the poplar F5H was able to complement the A. thaliana fah1-2 mutation. Overexpression in wild-type A. thaliana substantially increased the level of syringyl units in lignins. These transgenic lines were also typified by substantial levels of S-units in root lignins, whereas these units are present in low amounts in wild-type A. thaliana. These results support that PopF5H is a functional homolog of the A. thaliana F5H gene.

PLANT PHYSIOLOGY, 2002

Transgenic maize (Zea mays) plants were generated with a construct harboring a maize caffeic acid... more Transgenic maize (Zea mays) plants were generated with a construct harboring a maize caffeic acid O-methyltransferase (COMT) cDNA in the antisense (AS) orientation under the control of the maize Adh1 (alcohol dehydrogenase) promoter. Adh1-driven ␤-glucuronidase expression was localized in vascular tissues and lignifying sclerenchyma, indicating its suitability in transgenic experiments aimed at modifying lignin content and composition. One line of AS plants, COMT-AS, displayed a significant reduction in COMT activity (15%-30% residual activity) and barely detectable amounts of COMT protein as determined by western-blot analysis. In this line, transgenes were shown to be stably integrated in the genome and transmitted to the progeny. Biochemical analysis of COMT-AS showed: (a) a strong decrease in Klason lignin content at the flowering stage, (b) a decrease in syringyl units, (c) a lower p-coumaric acid content, and (d) the occurrence of unusual 5-OH guaiacyl units. These results are reminiscent of some characteristics already observed for the maize bm3 (brown-midrib3) mutant, as well as for COMT down-regulated dicots. However, as compared with bm3, COMT down-regulation in the COMT-AS line is less severe in that it is restricted to sclerenchyma cells. To our knowledge, this is the first time that an AS strategy has been applied to modify lignin biosynthesis in a grass species. * Corresponding author; e-mail pichon@smcv.ups-tlse.fr; fax 33-562-19 -35-02.

PLANT PHYSIOLOGY, 2002

fax: 44 -0 -1382-344275.

PLANT PHYSIOLOGY, 2003

Studying Arabidopsis mutants of the phenylpropanoid pathway has unraveled several biosynthetic st... more Studying Arabidopsis mutants of the phenylpropanoid pathway has unraveled several biosynthetic steps of monolignol synthesis. Most of the genes leading to monolignol synthesis have been characterized recently in this herbaceous plant, except those encoding cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase (CAD). We have used the complete sequencing of the Arabidopsis genome to highlight a new view of the complete CAD gene family. Among nine AtCAD genes, we have identified the two distinct paralogs AtCAD-C and AtCAD-D, which share 75% identity and are likely to be involved in lignin biosynthesis in other plants. Northern, semiquantitative restriction fragment-length polymorphism-reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and western analysis revealed that AtCAD-C and AtCAD-D mRNA and protein ratios were organ dependent. Promoter activities of both genes are high in fibers and in xylem bundles. However, AtCAD-C displayed a larger range of sites of expression than AtCAD-D. Arabidopsis null mutants (Atcad-D and Atcad-C) corresponding to both genes were isolated. CAD activities were drastically reduced in both mutants, with a higher impact on sinapyl alcohol dehydrogenase activity (6% and 38% of residual sinapyl alcohol dehydrogenase activities for Atcad-D and Atcad-C, respectively). Only Atcad-D showed a slight reduction in Klason lignin content and displayed modifications of lignin structure with a significant reduced proportion of conventional S lignin units in both stems and roots, together with the incorporation of sinapaldehyde structures ether linked at C␤. These results argue for a substantial role of AtCAD-D in lignification, and more specifically in the biosynthesis of sinapyl alcohol, the precursor of S lignin units. ; fax 33-1-30 -83-3099.

Phytochemistry, 2004

A series of transgenic poplars down-regulated for cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase (CAD) was analyz... more A series of transgenic poplars down-regulated for cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase (CAD) was analyzed by thioacidolysis. Among the lignin-derived monomers, the indene compounds that were recently shown to originate from sinapaldehyde incorporated into lignins through 8-O-4-cross-coupling, were found to increase as a function of CAD deficiency level. While these syringyl markers were recovered in substantial amounts in the most severely depressed lines, the markers for coniferaldehyde incorporation were recovered in only low amounts. In conjunction with these additional sinapaldehyde units and relative to the control samples, lignins in CAD-deficient poplar lines had less conventional syringyl-units and b-O-4-bonds and more free phenolic groups. We found that almost half of the polymers in the most deficient lines could be solubilized in alkali and at room temperature. This unusual behavior suggests that lignins in CAD-deficient poplars occur as small, alkali-leachable lignin domains. That mainly sinapaldehyde incorporates into the lignins of CAD-deficient poplars suggests that the recently identified sinapyl alcohol dehydrogenase (SAD), which is structurally distinct from the CAD enzyme targeted herein, does not play any substantial role in constitutive lignification in poplar.

Phytochemistry, 1998

Eight phenolic compounds "castalin\ castalagin\ vescalagin\ kurigalin\ 4!O!galloylhamamelose\ "2?... more Eight phenolic compounds "castalin\ castalagin\ vescalagin\ kurigalin\ 4!O!galloylhamamelose\ "2?\ 4?!dimethoxy!3?!hydroxyphenol#!0!O!b!D!"5!O!galloyl#glucose\ chestanin\ and acutissimin A# were isolated from chestnut bark and their structures elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analyses[ Evidence for strong intermolecular associations of 4!O!galloylhamamelose is presented on the basis of NMR and mass spectroscopic data[ Þ 0887

Phytochemistry, 1997

Keg Word Index-P.veudot.ru,yo rmvriesii; Pinaceae: Douglas-fir; sapwood; heartwood; duraminisatio... more Keg Word Index-P.veudot.ru,yo rmvriesii; Pinaceae: Douglas-fir; sapwood; heartwood; duraminisation: phenolic compounds: dihydroquercetin.