Julie Lengerich Graduate Student

One aspect of my research involves the formation of lignin and how peroxidases play a role in that process. Lignin is composed of hydroxyinnamyl alcohols (monolignols), coniferyl alcohols and sinapyl alcohols. Peroxidases are thought to polymerize these alcohols to form a polymer that makes up lignin (Vanholme et al. 2010). Lignin is found in the cell wall and provides a protective barrier as well as structural support for the plant. To be involved in lignin formation peroxidases have to be transported to the cell wall via the secretory pathway. By manipulating the C-terminus of the peroxidase gene sequence the peroxidase gene can be targeted to either the vacuole or the cell wall. In the case of lignification the peroxidase gene should be targeted to the cell wall since that is the site of lignification.

Currently I am working on creating more transgenic plants of A. thaliana that have an additional peroxidase gene tagged with YFP. This will allow for a visualization of where in the plant cell the gene is actively being expressed by observing the YFP.

Future work will involve using chemical compounds to manipulate how peroxidases travel through the secretory pathway to further understand peroxidases movement in the secretory pathway and how it plays a role in lignification.

 

 

 

 

Vanholme R, Demedts B, Morreel K, Ralph J, Boerjan W. (2010). Lignin Biosynthesis and Structure. Plant Physiology. 153: 895-905.