Genetical metabolomics of flavonoid biosynthesis in Populus: a case study

Abstract

SummaryGenetical metabolomics [metabolite profiling combined with quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis] has been proposed as a new tool to identify loci that control metabolite abundances. This concept was evaluated in a case study with the model tree Populus. Using HPLC, the peak abundances were analyzed of 15 closely related flavonoids present in apical tissues of two full-sib poplar families, Populus deltoides cv. S9-2 · P. nigra cv. Ghoy and P. deltoides cv. S9-2 · P. trichocarpa cv. V24, and correlation and QTL analysis were used to detect flux control points in flavonoid biosynthesis. Four robust metabolite quantitative trait loci (mQTL), associated with rate-limiting steps in flavonoid biosynthesis, were mapped. Each mQTL was involved in the flux control to one or two flavonoids. Based on the identities of the affected metabolites and the flavonoid pathway structure, a tentative function was assigned to three of these mQTL, and the corresponding candidate genes were mapped. The data indicate that the combination of metabolite profiling with QTL analysis is a valuable tool to identify control points in a complex metabolic pathway of closely related compounds.

Side by Side Comparison of Chemical Compounds Generated by Aqueous Pretreatments of Maize Stover, Miscanthus and Sugarcane Bagasse

“…2 for their structural characterisation from compounds other than polymeric lignin. In this respect, it is important to note that a glycerol-type trimer, G(8-O-4)S(8-5)G glycerol has been found in xylem extracts of poplar [33]. S(8-O-4)ferulic acids and S(8-5)ferulic acid were found in the alkaline pretreatment liquors of all feedstocks tested.…”

A Key Role for Apoplastic H2O2 in Norway Spruce Phenolic Metabolism

“…Metabolic conversion types were selected from the list given by Morreel et al (2014) based on their prevalence in CSPP networks and presumed presence in gymnosperms. Structural elucidation of the multiplestage mass spectrometry fragmentation MS n spectra was based on Eklund et al (2008) and Morreel et al (2004Morreel et al ( , 2010aMorreel et al ( , 2010b for the (neo)lignans/oligolignols, on Cuyckens and Claeys (2004), Fabre et al (2001), Hughes et al (2001), Morreel et al (2006), and Hvattum and Ekeberg (2003) for the flavonoids, on Zhou et al (2013) and Abu-Reidah et al (2014) for the C-glycosylated flavanones, on Morreel et al (2014) for the phenylpropanoids/benzenoids, and on Gu et al (2003) and Jaiswal et al (2012) for the condensed tannins. Shorthand names for the oligolignols are as explained by Morreel et al (2004).…”

Small Glycosylated Lignin Oligomers Are Stored in Arabidopsis Leaf Vacuoles

“…Structural characterization of unknown peaks was based on MS n spectral interpretation taking into account known gas phase fragmentation behavior of particular metabolite classes, such as the flavonoids (Fabre et al, 2001;Morreel et al, 2006), the oligolignols/(neo)lignans (Morreel et al, 2010a(Morreel et al, , 2010b, and the glucosinolates (Fabre et al, 2007;Rochfort et al, 2008). A rigorous search for all profiled (neo)lignans/oligolignols was applied via CSPP networks.…”