The formation of wood and its control

• Published in: Current opinion in plant biology Vol. 17; pp. 56 - 63
• Main Authors: Zhang, Jing, Nieminen, Kaisa, Serra, Juan Antonio Alonso, Helariutta, Ykä
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.02.2014
• Subjects: Cambium - genetics; Cambium - growth & development; Cambium - metabolism; energy; Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; genetic engineering; Genome, Plant - genetics; hormonal regulation; Models, Genetic; Phloem - genetics; Phloem - growth & development; Phloem - metabolism; Plant Growth Regulators - metabolism; Plant Proteins - genetics; Plant Proteins - metabolism; wood; Wood - genetics; Wood - growth & development; Wood - metabolism; Xylem - genetics; Xylem - growth & development; Xylem - metabolism
• ISSN: 1369-5266; 1879-0356; 1879-0356
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pbi.2013.11.003

•We compare various experimental systems for wood formation study.•We highlight the importance of the first released genome of a gymnosperm tree.•Evidence gained from Arabidopsis supports our study of wood formation in trees.•Knowledge on regulation of wood formation is addressed from an evo-devo perspective. Wood continues to increase in importance as a sustainable source of energy and shelter. Wood formation is a dynamic process derived from plant secondary (radial) growth. Several experimental systems have been employed to study wood formation and its regulation. The use of genetic manipulation approaches and genome-wide analyses in model plants have significantly advanced our understanding of wood formation. In this review, we provide an update of our knowledge of the genetic and hormonal regulation of wood formation based on research in different plants systems, as well as considering the subject from an evo-devo perspective.