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. 2018 Jul;8(7):315.
doi: 10.1007/s13205-018-1344-6. Epub 2018 Jul 13.

Co-expression network of transcription factors reveal ethylene-responsive element-binding factor as key regulator of wood phenotype in Eucalyptus tereticornis

Veeramuthu Dharanishanthi  1 , Modhumita Ghosh Dasgupta  1
Affiliations

Co-expression network of transcription factors reveal ethylene-responsive element-binding factor as key regulator of wood phenotype in Eucalyptus tereticornis

Veeramuthu Dharanishanthi et al. 3 Biotech. 2018 Jul.

Abstract

Suitability of wood biomass for pulp production is dependent on the cellular architecture and composition of secondary cell wall. Presently, systems genetics approach is being employed to understand the molecular basis of trait variation and co-expression network analysis has enabled holistic understanding of complex trait such as secondary development. Transcription factors (TFs) are reported as key regulators of meristematic growth and wood formation. The hierarchical TF network is a multi-layered system which interacts with downstream structural genes involved in biosynthesis of cellulose, hemicelluloses and lignin. Several TFs have been associated with wood formation in tree species such as Populus, Eucalyptus, Picea and Pinus. However, TF-specific co-expression networks to understand the interaction between these regulators are not reported. In the present study, co-expression network was developed for TFs expressed during wood formation in Eucalyptus tereticornis and ethylene-responsive element-binding factor, EtERF2, was identified as the major hub transcript which co-expressed with other secondary cell wall biogenesis-specific TFs such as EtSND2, EtVND1, EtVND4, EtVND6, EtMYB70, EtGRAS and EtSCL8. This study reveals a probable role of ethylene in determining natural variation in wood properties in Eucalyptus species. Understanding this transcriptional regulation underpinning the complex bio-processing trait of wood biomass will complement the Eucalyptus breeding program through selection of industrially suitable phenotypes by marker-assisted selection.

Keywords: Co-expression network; Ethylene; Regulation; Transcription factor; Wood formation.

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Conflict of interest statement

Compliance with ethical standardsOn behalf of all authors, the corresponding author states that there is no conflict of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Hierarchical clustering of transcription factors in E. tereticornis genotypes
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Co-expression network of transcription factors in E. tereticornis
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
a Guided network of EtERF2. b Guided network of EtVND7. c Guided network of EtSND2. d Guided network of EtMYB103
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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