Identification and Molecular Characterization of the Switchgrass AP2/ERF Transcription Factor Superfamily, and Overexpression of PvERF001 for Improvement of Biomass Characteristics for Biofuel

Robert Sykes, Geoffrey Turner, Steve Decker, Mark Davis, Wegi Wuddineh, Mitra Mazarei, Neal Jr.

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

46 Scopus Citations

Abstract

The APETALA2/ethylene response factor (AP2/ERF) superfamily of transcription factors (TFs) plays essential roles in the regulation of various growth and developmental programs including stress responses. Members of these TFs in other plant species have been implicated to play a role in the regulation of cell wall biosynthesis. Here, we identified a total of 207 AP2/ERF TF genes in the switchgrass genome and grouped into four gene families comprised of 25 AP2-, 121 ERF-, 55 DREB (dehydration responsive element binding)-, and 5 RAV (related to API3/VP) genes, as well as a singleton gene not fitting any of the above families. The ERF and DREB subfamilies comprised seven and four distinct groups, respectively. Analysis of exon/intron structures of switchgrass AP2/ERF genes showed high diversity in the distribution of introns in AP2 genes versus a single or no intron in most genes in the ERF and RAV families. The majority of the subfamilies or groups within it were characterized by the presence of one or more specific conserved protein motifs. In silico functional analysis revealed that many genes in these families might be associated with the regulation of responses to environmental stimuli via transcriptional regulation of the response genes. Moreover, these genes had diverse endogenous expression patterns in switchgrass during seed germination, vegetative growth, flower development, and seed formation. Interestingly, several members of the ERF and DREB families were found to be highly expressed in plant tissues where active lignification occurs. These results provide vital resources to select candidate genes to potentially impart tolerance to environmental stress as well as reduced recalcitrance. Overexpression of one of the ERF genes (PvERF001) in switchgrass was associated with increased biomass yield and sugar release efficiency in transgenic lines, exemplifying the potential of these TFs in the development of lignocellulosic feedstocks with improved biomass characteristics for biofuels.

Original languageAmerican English
Article number00101
Number of pages21
JournalFrontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology
Volume3
Issue numberJUL
DOIs
StatePublished - 2015

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2015 Wuddineh, Mazarei, Turner, Sykes, Decker, Davis and Stewart.

NREL Publication Number

  • NREL/JA-5100-65049

Keywords

  • AP2
  • Biofuel
  • Ethylene response factors
  • Overexpression
  • PvERF001
  • Stress response
  • Sugar release
  • Transcription factors

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Identification and Molecular Characterization of the Switchgrass AP2/ERF Transcription Factor Superfamily, and Overexpression of PvERF001 for Improvement of Biomass Characteristics for Biofuel'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this