Unveiling and decoding the regulatory mechanisms of secondary cell wall formation: The multilayered network and its dynamic control

Wood quality is primarily determined by the properties of its secondary cell wall (SCW). Gaining insight into the molecular processes governing SCW development is crucial for the genetic enhancement of wood quality. Although it's established that a multilayered gene regulatory network, operating at the transcriptional level, orchestrates SCW development, our grasp of its response to environmental fluctuations, and the resultant diverse SCW structure, is incomplete.

In December 2023, Horticulture Research published a review article entitled by “Deciphering the Intricate Hierarchical Gene Regulatory Network: Unraveling Multi-Level Regulation and Modifications Driving Secondary Cell Wall Formation”.

Research has predominantly focused on SCW formation in model species like Arabidopsis and poplar. Despite the fundamental conservation of SCW regulatory processes, notable distinctions between woody and non-woody plants remain inadequately explored. Recent studies indicate that SCW development is also subject to chromosome-level, post-transcriptional, and post-translational regulation and modifications, yet the interplay between these factors and the transcriptional network is not fully understood.

To address these gaps, we re-evaluated and synthesized the transcriptional networks related to SCW formation, considering all recognized transcription factors in Arabidopsis and poplar. Our analysis sheds light on the intricate regulatory modules and motifs within the network, offering insights into the transcriptional network's role in generating diverse SCW structures. We also systematically examined the variations in the transcriptional regulatory networks between woody and non-woody plants. Incorporating chromosomal, post-genetic, and protein-level adjustments, we propose a more elaborate model of SCW regulatory mechanisms.

In conclusion, we outline current challenges and potential research directions in SCW regulatory mechanism studies. Our review aims to enrich the understanding of the regulatory intricacies and dynamic nature of SCW formation, guiding researchers through the evolving landscape of this research area.

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References

Authors

Zhigang Wei¹ and Hairong Wei²

Affiliations

¹Heilong Jiang University

²Michigan Technological University

About Hairong Wei

Professor in the College of Forest Resources and Environmental Science at Michigan Technological University, specializing in plant bioinformatics. He has developed software for identifying regulatory genes that govern complex traits and also conducts research in wood formation, genome assembly, and evolution.