Exploring Lignin Biosynthesis Genes in Rice: Evolution, Function, and Expression.

Lignin is nature's second most abundant vascular plant biopolymer, playing significant roles in mechanical support, water transport, and stress responses. This study identified 90 lignin biosynthesis genes in rice based on phylogeny and motif constitution, and they belong to , , , , , , , , , and families. Duplication events contributed largely to the expansion of these gene families, such as , , , and families, mainly attributed to tandem and segmental duplication. Microarray data of 33 tissue samples covering the entire life cycle of rice suggested fairly high , , , , , , and gene expressions and rather variable , , and expressions. Some members of lignin-related genes (, //, //, , , and /) were expressed in all tissues examined. The expression patterns of lignin-related genes can be divided into two major groups with eight subgroups, each showing a distinct co-expression in tissues representing typically primary and secondary cell wall constitutions. Some lignin-related genes were strongly co-expressed in tissues typical of secondary cell walls. Combined HPLC analysis showed increased lignin monomer (H, G, and S) contents from young to old growth stages in five genotypes. Based on 90 genes' microarray data, 27 genes were selected for qRT-PCR gene expression analysis. Four genes (, , , and ) were significantly negatively correlated with lignin monomers. Furthermore, eleven genes were co-expressed in certain genotypes during secondary growth stages. Among them, six genes (, , , , , and ) were overlapped with microarray gene expressions, highlighting their importance in lignin biosynthesis.