Biotechnology Bulletin ›› 2017, Vol. 33 ›› Issue (4): 19-26.doi: 10.13560/j.cnki.biotech.bull.1985.2017.04.003

• Orignal Article • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Research Progress on 4-Coumarate:Coenzyme A Ligase(4CL)in Plants

TIAN Xiao-ming, YAN Li-hong, XIANG Guang-feng, JIANG Li-yuan   

  1. Hunan Forest Botanical Garden,Changsha 410116
  • Received:2016-09-06 Online:2017-04-25 Published:2017-04-25

Abstract: 4CL(4-coumarate:coenzyme A ligase,EC6.2.1.12)is a key enzyme in the lignin biosynthesis pathway,and it catalyzes a hydroxycinnamic acids and its derivatives to generate the corresponding thioester. Concurrently,4 CL is also the third step in the metabolic pathway of phenylpropane,ligating the precursor of lignin and varied branch pathways,playing the critical regulating role in the lignin synthesis. It has become a research hotspot that uses the genetic engineering way to alter lignin biosynthesis,to reduce lignin content,and to decrease the pollution in pulp and papermaking process. Combining the new reports about 4CL in recent years,we summarized the research progresses on phylogenetics,enzymatic activities,crystal structure and catalytic mechanism and regulation of 4CL in lignin biosynthesis. The future directions of researches on 4CL were also suggested, This paper provides reference information for 4CL in the future study.

Key words: 4CL, lignin, enzymology, crystallography, gene regulation