Exploring the Seasonal Dynamics and Molecular Mechanism of Wood Formation in Gymnosperm Trees

Thi Thu Tram Nguyen, Eun Kyung Bae, Thi Ngoc Anh Tran, Hyoshin Lee, Jae Heung Ko

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

6 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Forests, comprising 31% of the Earth’s surface, play pivotal roles in regulating the carbon, water, and energy cycles. Despite being far less diverse than angiosperms, gymnosperms account for over 50% of the global woody biomass production. To sustain growth and development, gymnosperms have evolved the capacity to sense and respond to cyclical environmental signals, such as changes in photoperiod and seasonal temperature, which initiate growth (spring and summer) and dormancy (fall and winter). Cambium, the lateral meristem responsible for wood formation, is reactivated through a complex interplay among hormonal, genetic, and epigenetic factors. Temperature signals perceived in early spring induce the synthesis of several phytohormones, including auxins, cytokinins, and gibberellins, which in turn reactivate cambium cells. Additionally, microRNA-mediated genetic and epigenetic pathways modulate cambial function. As a result, the cambium becomes active during the summer, resulting in active secondary xylem (i.e., wood) production, and starts to become inactive in autumn. This review summarizes and discusses recent findings regarding the climatic, hormonal, genetic, and epigenetic regulation of wood formation in gymnosperm trees (i.e., conifers) in response to seasonal changes.

Original languageEnglish
Article number8624
JournalInternational Journal of Molecular Sciences
Volume24
Issue number10
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - May 2023

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 by the authors.

Keywords

  • conifer
  • environment
  • epigenetic
  • genetic
  • gymnosperm
  • season
  • wood formation

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