Comparative transcriptome analyses reveal candidate genes regulating wood quality in Japanese larch (Larix kaempferi)

Abstract

We studied the molecular mechanism of the quality traits of wood formation in larch. We used the immature latewood cells of two Japanese larch (Larix kaempferi) clones with significant differences in density and in microfibrillar angle (MFA) as materials to analyze their gene expression profiles. A total of 1735 differentially expressed genes were detected in immature latewood cells of the two clones, among which, 971 were up-regulated and 764 were down-regulated. Digital gene expression profiling analysis revealed that genes encoding transcription factor members NAC66 and R2R3-MYB4, microtubule-associated protein, actin-related protein, cell wall protein members, arabinogalactan protein, Fasciclin-like arabinogalactan protein and glycine-rich protein, and several cell-wall-synthesis genes affected wood density and MFA by regulating latewood formation at transcriptional level. Our study results represent a basis for selection of quality traits and genetic improvement of larch wood.

Keywords

Japanese larch / Wood formation / Transcription regulation / Wood property / Digital gene expression profiling

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