Sequences upstream and downstream of two xylem-specific pine genes influence their expression

Genetic engineering a large animal model of human hypophosphatasia in sheep

The availability of tools to accurately replicate the clinical phenotype of rare human diseases is a key step toward improved understanding of disease progression and the development of more effective therapeutics. We successfully generated the first large animal model of a rare human bone disease, hypophosphatasia (HPP) using CRISPR/Cas9 to introduce a single point mutation in the tissue nonspecific alkaline phosphatase (TNSALP) gene (ALPL) (1077 C > G) in sheep. HPP is a rare inherited disorder of mineral metabolism that affects bone and tooth development, and is associated with muscle weakness. Compared to wild-type (WT) controls, HPP sheep have reduced serum alkaline phosphatase activity, decreased tail vertebral bone size, and metaphyseal flaring, consistent with the mineralization deficits observed in human HPP patients. Computed tomography revealed short roots and thin dentin in incisors, and reduced mandibular bone in HPP vs. WT sheep, accurately replicating odonto-HPP. Skeletal muscle biopsies revealed aberrant fiber size and disorganized mitochondrial cristae structure in HPP vs. WT sheep. These genetically engineered sheep accurately phenocopy human HPP and provide a novel large animal platform for the longitudinal study of HPP progression, as well as other rare human bone diseases.

Evaluation of a novel promoter from Populus trichocarpa for mature xylem tissue specific gene delivery

Wood (i.e., secondary xylem) is an important raw material for many industrial applications. Mature xylem (MX) tissue-specific genetic modification offers an effective means to improve the chemical and physical properties of the wood. Here, we describe a promoter that drives strong gene expression in a MX tissue-specific manner. Using whole-transcriptome genechip analyses of different tissue types of poplar, we identified five candidate genes that had strong expression in the MX tissue. The putative promoter sequences of the five MX-specific genes were evaluated for their promoter activity in both transgenic Arabidopsis and poplar. Among them, we found the promoter of Potri.013G007900.1 (called the PtrMX3 promoter) had the strongest activity in MX and thus was further characterized. In the stem and root tissues of transgenic Arabidopsis plants, the PtrMX3 promoter activity was found exclusively in MX tissue. MX-specific activity of the promoter was reproduced in the stem tissue of transgenic poplar plants. The PtrMX3 promoter activity was not influenced by abiotic stresses or exogenously applied growth regulators, indicating the PtrMX3 promoter is bona fide MX tissue-specific. Our study provides a strong MX-specific promoter for MX-specific modifications of woody biomass.

Poplar genes encoding fasciclin-like arabinogalactan proteins are highly expressed in tension wood

•  Fifteen poplar cDNA encoding fasciclin-like arabinogalactan proteins (PopFLAs) were finely characterized, whereas the presence of arabinogalactan proteins (AGPs) was globally assessed during wood formation. •  PopFLAs transcript accumulation was analysed through EST distribution in cDNA libraries, semi-quantitative RT-PCR, microarray experiment and Northern blot analysis. Similarly, AGPs contents were globally quantified by rocket electrophoresis. AGPs accumulation was further examined by Western blotting and immunocytolocalization. •  Ten PopFLAs were specifically expressed in tension wood (TW) and not expressed in the cambial zone. Rocket electrophoresis revealed important AGPs accumulation in TW xylem. An anti-AGPs specific antibody recognized two proteins preferentially present in the cell wall-bound fraction from TW. Immunocytochemistry revealed a strong labelling close to the inner part of the G-layer of TW fibres. •  PopFLAs are expressed in xylem and many are up-regulated in TW. It is suggested that some PopFLAs accumulating at the inner side of the G-layer may have a specific function in the building of this layer. PopFLAs expression may therefore be linked to the specific mechanical properties of TW.