Toward evaluation of the monolignol biosynthesis gene network with contemplation on the role of cinnamoyl coA reductase (CCR) gene family in camelina sativa

Camelina (Camelina sativa L. Crantz) is a fast-growing oil crop belonging to the Brassicaceae family that can tolerate drought, salinity, cold, and many diseases and pests. Camelina seed has precious oil and protein with a number of potential attributes or benefits in both the human food and animal feed industry. Camelina also is being deemed as promising species to produce biodiesel and jet fuel in margin lands of the globe. Monolignols, as the precursor of lignin, are the common compounds in both lignification and soluble chemicals that have important roles in both normal development of healthy plants and defense-related responses in infected plant subjects. The regulatory mechanisms underlying the biosynthesis of these multifaceted secondary metabolites are poorly understood.  

Our current study presents the mode of gene expression and analyzes data to investigate the role of monolignol biosynthesis genes in the normal development growth of Camelina. We considered the transcript level of those genes that were covered 12 different tissues in major developmental stages during the life cycle of the Camelina. Using the R programming environment, we could have visualized the pattern of gene expressions with transcript per million (TPM) data in the heatmap. 

The results revealed the similarities as well as differences in gene expression patterns in both regulatory and functional gene groups among different tissues. Moreover, tissue-specific genes in different developmental stages were recognized.   

The scrutiny in the literature related on biotic stress experiments in Camelina and also other species determined considerable differences in transcript levels and gene regulation patterns for the genes especially for members of the gene group encoding cinnamoyl-CoA reductase (CCR). Association of the latter genes CsCCR4 and CsCCR2 in particular involved in monolignol biosynthesis with the resistance of Camelina to pathogens contributes to providing a preliminary view to contemplate the future research options in various Camelina breeding programs.