Association of caffeoyl coenzyme A 3-O-methyltransferase expression with lignifying tissues in several dicot plants

Caffeoyl coenzyme A 3-O-methyltransferase (CCoAOMT) was previously shown to be associated with lignification in both in vitro tracheary elements (ifs) and organs of zinnia (Zinnia elegans). However, it is not known whether this is a general pattern in dicot plants. To address this question, polyclonal antibodies against zinnia recombinant CCoAOMT fusion protein were raised and used for immunolocalization in several dicot plants. The antibodies predominantly recognized a protein band with a molecular mass of 28 kD on western analysis of tissue extracts from zinnia, forsythia (Forsythia suspensa), tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum), alfalfa (Medicago sativa), and soybean (Glycine max). Western analyses showed that the accumulation of CCoAOMT protein was closely correlated with lignification in in vitro TEs of zinnia. Immunolocalization results showed that CCoAOMT was localized in developing TEs of young zinnia stems and in TEs, xylem fibers, and phloem fibers of old stems. CCoAOMT was also found to be specifically associated with all lignifying tissues, including TEs, xylem fibers, and phloem fibers in stems of forsythia, tobacco, alfalfa, soybean, and tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum). The presence of CCoAOMT was evident in xylem ray parenchyma cells of forsythia, tobacco, and tomato. In forsythia and alfalfa, pith parenchyma cells next to the vascular cylinder were lignified. Accordingly, marked accumulation of CCoAOMT in these cells was observed. Taken together, these results showed a close association of CCoAOMT expression with lignification in dicot plants. This supports the hypothesis that the CCoAOMT-mediated methylation branch is a general one in lignin biosynthesis during normal growth and development in dicot plants.