Identification of putative lignin biosynthesis genes in Betula pendula

Key message We identified 15 genes encoding enzymes for phenylpropanoid biosynthesis in the genome of birch by combining phylogenetic analysis and tissue-specific expression data. Lignin is one of the most abundant terrestrial biopolymers and is essential for plant structure and defense. An essential step in lignin formation is phenylpropanoid synthesis, we identified 120 gene models in 10 protein families encoding enzymes for phenylpropanoid biosynthesis in the genome of Betula pendula. The transcript abundance was determined for all 120 genes in xylem, root, leaf, and flower tissues using RNA-seq technology. We identified 15 genes that likely encode phenylpropanoid biosynthesis enzymes during wood formation. Ten of these genes are evolutionarily conserved compared to the lignin genes in Populus trichocarpa.