This study shows that altering xylan during secondary wall formation in Populus increases growth, with changes in gene expression, hormones, and metabolism.

bioRxiv · Mar 31, 2025 · PreprintPlant Biology

Modification of xylan in secondary walls alters cell wall biosynthesis and wood formation programs

Pramod Sivan, János Urbancsok, Evgeniy N. Donev, Marta Derba‐Maceluch, Félix R. Barbut, Zakiya Yassin, Madhavi Latha Gandla, Madhusree Mitra, Emilia Heinonen, Jan Šimura, Kateřina Cermanová, Michal Karády, Gerhard Scheepers, Leif J. Jönsson, Emma R. Master, , Ewa J. Mellerowicz

This study modifies xylan in secondary walls of hybrid aspen to reduce recalcitrance, resulting in altered growth patterns and improved enzymatic saccharification.

Plant Biotechnology Journal · Oct 22, 2024Peer-reviewedPlant Biology

Arabidopsis XTH4 and XTH9 contribute to wood cell expansion and secondary wall formation

Sunita Kushwah, Alicja Banasiak, Nobuyuki Nishikubo, Marta Derba‐Maceluch, Mateusz Majda, Satoshi Endo, Vikash Kumar, Leonardo Dario Gomez, András Gorzsás, Simon J. McQueen‐Mason, Janet Braam, Björn Sundberg, Ewa J. Mellerowicz

This study shows XTH4 and XTH9 regulate xylem cell expansion and secondary wall formation in Arabidopsis through cell wall integrity signaling.

PLANT PHYSIOLOGY · Jan 31, 2020Peer-reviewedDevelopmental Biology