Biology Department, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY 11973, USA.
Mol Plant. 2012 Mar;5(2):304-17. doi: 10.1093/mp/ssr121. Epub 2012 Feb 3.
Plant lignification is a tightly regulated complex cellular process that occurs via three sequential steps: the synthesis of monolignols within the cytosol; the transport of monomeric precursors across plasma membrane; and the oxidative polymerization of monolignols to form lignin macromolecules within the cell wall. Although we have a reasonable understanding of monolignol biosynthesis, many aspects of lignin assembly remain elusive. These include the precursors' transport and oxidation, and the initiation of lignin polymerization. This review describes our current knowledge of the molecular mechanisms underlying monolignol transport and oxidation, discusses the intriguing yet least-understood aspects of lignin assembly, and highlights the technologies potentially aiding in clarifying the enigma of plant lignification.
植物木质化是一个受到严格调控的复杂细胞过程，通过三个连续的步骤发生：在细胞质中合成单体酚；单体前体穿过质膜的运输；以及单体酚在细胞壁内氧化聚合形成木质素大分子。尽管我们对单体酚生物合成有了合理的理解，但木质素组装的许多方面仍然难以捉摸。这些包括前体的运输和氧化，以及木质素聚合的起始。本文综述了木质素单体运输和氧化的分子机制的最新知识，讨论了木质素组装中令人着迷但知之甚少的方面，并强调了可能有助于阐明植物木质化之谜的技术。
