Different routes for conifer- and sinapaldehyde and higher saccharification upon deficiency in the dehydrogenase CAD1

In the search for renewable energy sources, genetic engineering is a promising strategy to improve plant cell wall composition for biofuel and bioproducts generation. Lignin is a major factor determining saccharification efficiency and, therefore, is a prime target to engineer. Here, lignin content and composition were modified in poplar (Populus tremula 3 Populus alba) by specifically down-regulating CINNAMYL ALCOHOL DEHYDROGENASE1 (CAD1) by a hairpin-RNA-mediated silencing approach, which resulted in only 5% residual CAD1 transcript abundance. These transgenic lines showed no biomass penalty despite a 10% reduction in Klason lignin content and severe shifts in lignin composition. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and thioacidolysis revealed a strong increase (up to 20-fold) in sinapaldehyde incorporation into lignin, whereas coniferaldehyde was not increased markedly. Accordingly, ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry-based phenolic profiling revealed a more than 24,000-fold accumulation of a newly identified compound made from 8-8 coupling of two sinapaldehyde radicals. However, no additional cinnamaldehyde coupling products could be detected in the CAD1-deficient poplars. Instead, the transgenic lines accumulated a range of hydroxycinnamate-derived metabolites, of which the most prominent accumulation (over 8,500-fold) was observed for a compound that was identified by purification and nuclear magnetic resonance as syringyl lactic acid hexoside. Our data suggest that, upon down-regulation of CAD1, coniferaldehyde is converted into ferulic acid and derivatives, whereas sinapaldehyde is either oxidatively coupled into S'(8-8) S' and lignin or converted to sinapic acid and derivatives. The most prominent sink of the increased flux to hydroxycinnamates is syringyl lactic acid hexoside. Furthermore, low-extent saccharification assays, under different pretreatment conditions, showed strongly increased glucose (up to +81%) and xylose (up to +153%) release, suggesting that down-regulating CAD1 is a promising strategy for improving lignocellulosic biomass for the sugar platform industry

Cellulose and lignin biosynthesis is altered by ozone in wood of hybrid poplar (Populus tremula×alba)

Wood formation in trees is a dynamic process that is strongly affected by environmental factors. However, the impact of ozone on wood is poorly documented. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of ozone on wood formation by focusing on the two major wood components, cellulose and lignin, and analysing any anatomical modifications. Young hybrid poplars (Populus tremula×alba) were cultivated under different ozone concentrations (50, 100, 200, and 300 nl l−1). As upright poplars usually develop tension wood in a non-set pattern, the trees were bent in order to induce tension wood formation on the upper side of the stem and normal or opposite wood on the lower side. Biosynthesis of cellulose and lignin (enzymes and RNA levels), together with cambial growth, decreased in response to ozone exposure. The cellulose to lignin ratio was reduced, suggesting that cellulose biosynthesis was more affected than that of lignin. Tension wood was generally more altered than opposite wood, especially at the anatomical level. Tension wood may be more susceptible to reduced carbon allocation to the stems under ozone exposure. These results suggested a coordinated regulation of cellulose and lignin deposition to sustain mechanical strength under ozone. The modifications of the cellulose to lignin ratio and wood anatomy could allow the tree to maintain radial growth while minimizing carbon cost

A Huguette

Lapierre Françoise. A Huguette. In: Diplômées, n°205, 2003. Huguette Delavault (1924-2003) pp. 66-67

Résultats morphologiques et fonctionnels à long terme de la chirurgie des plagiocéphalies frontales synostotiques non syndromiques

POITIERS-BU Médecine pharmacie (861942103) / SudocPARIS-BIUM (751062103) / SudocSudocFranceF

Caractérisation physiopathologique, moléculaire et métabolique de la jonction neuromusculaire et du nerf périphérique après lésion du système nerveux central

Une lésion du SNC occasionne par le biais d'une dénervation trans-synaptique la survenue d'un handicap fonctionnel majeur découlant à la fois du déficit sensitivo-moteur engendré par les dégâts neuronaux primitifs, mais aussi d'une spasticité de déafférentation et d'une amyotrophie qu'il est bien difficile, conceptuellement, d'attribuer seulement à une sous-utilisation musculaire. Ce travail a permis d'incriminer des dysfonctionnements morphologiques et métaboliques précoces survenant dans les nerfs périphériques et muscles sous-jacents à une lésion du SNC, dysfonctionnements qui pourraient, en partie, expliquer certains mécanismes d'adaptation de l'organisme en réponse à la dénervation trans-synaptique. Nous avons montré que ces mécanismes seraient sous-tendus par l'existence de circuits intra-spinaux d'une part, et par le rôle potentiel de signalisation intracellulaire neuronal des isoformes de la pompe à sodium d'autre part. Nous avons également observé des modifications précoces du métabolisme énergétique lipidique impliquant particulièrement les acides gras poly-insaturés dont la participation serait directement au coeur des mécanismes de réparation neuronale. Les perspectives de recherche se dégageant de cette étude sont multiples et pourraient nous amener à élargir notre approche métabolique à un regard résolument tourné vers la fonction et la programmation motrice. De telles ambitions restent à la hauteur du challenge laissé quasiment intact par ces travaux de nature exploratoires.POITIERS-BU Médecine pharmacie (861942103) / SudocSudocFranceF