Research Terms
Agronomy Genetic Engineering Bioenergy Biology Plant Sciences
Keywords
Barley Bioenergy Biomass Quality Cereals Crispr Crop Improvement Forage Genome Editing Grasses Intragenics Lignin Napiergrass Plant Biotechnology Plant Breeding Stress Tolerance Sugarcane Talen Transgenics Turf Wheat
Industries
Sustainable Agriculture Renewable Energy Biotech
1. Altpeter F., Springer N.M., Bartley L.E., Blechl A.E., Brutnell T.P., Citovsky V., Conrad L.J., Gelvin S.B., Jackson D.P., Kausch A.P., Lemaux P.G., Medford J.I., Orozco-Cárdenas M.L., Tricoli D.M., Van Eck J., Voytas D.F., Walbot V., Wang K., Zhang Z.J., Stewart C.N. 2016. Advancing Crop Transformation in the Era of Genome Editing. Plant Cell. 28: 1510-1520. http://www.plantcell.org/content/early/2016/06/22/tpc.16.00196.full.pdf+html
2. Jung, J. H. (p) and F. Altpeter. 2016. TALEN mediated targeted mutagenesis of the caffeic acid O-methyltransferase in highly polyploid sugarcane improves cell wall composition for production of bioethanol. Plant. Mol. Biol. 92: 131-142. http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs11103-016-0499-y.
3. Zale, J. (p), J.H. Jung (p), J.Y. Kim, B (p). B. Pathak (b), R. Karan (p), H. Liu, X. Chen, H. Wu (p), J. Candreva, Z. Zhai, J. Shanklin, F. Altpeter. 2016. Metabolic engineering of sugarcane to accumulate energy-dense triacylglycerols in vegetative biomass. Plant Biotech. J. 14: 661-669. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/pbi.12411/epdf.
4. Dermawan H. (g), R. Karan (p), J.H. Jung (p), Y. Zhao (g), S. Parajuli (g), G. Sanahuja (p), F. Altpeter. 2016. Development of an intragenic gene transfer and selection protocol for sugarcane resulting in resistance to acetolactate synthase-inhibiting herbicide. J. Plant Biotechn. 126: 459-468. http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11240-016-1014-5.
5. Faleiro, F.G. (v), B. Kannan (p), F. Altpeter. 2016. Regeneration of fertile, hexaploid, interspecific hybrids of elephantgrass and pearl millet following treatment of embryogenic calli with antimitotic agents. J. Plant Biotech. 124: 57-67. http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11240-015-0874-4.
6. Jung J. H. (p), B. Kannan (p), H. Dermawan (g), G. W. Moxley and F. Altpeter. 2016. Precision breeding for RNAi suppression of a major 4-coumarate: coenzyme A ligase gene improves cell wall saccharification from field grown sugarcane. Plant Mol. Biol. in press and online first. http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs11103-016-0527-y.
7. Wu, H. (p), F.S. Awan (v), A. Vilarinho (v), Q. Zeng (v), B. Kannan (p), T. Phipps (b), J. McCuiston, W. Wang, K. Caffall, F. Altpeter. 2015. Transgene integration complexity and expression stability following biolistic or Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of sugarcane. In Vitro Cell. Dev. Biol. Plant 51: 603-611.
8. Kannan, B. (p), N. H. Davila-Olivas (u), P. Lomba (g) and F. Altpeter. 2015. In vitro chemical mutagenesis improves the turf quality of bahiagrass. J. Plant Biotechnol. 120: 551–561.
9. Fouad, W. M. (p), H. Wu (p), Y. Xiong (g), C. Steeves (u), S. Sandhu (v) and F. Altpeter. 2015. Generation of transgenic energy cane plants with integration of minimal transgene expression cassette. Curr. Pharm. Biotechnol. 16: 407-413.
10. Jung, J. H. (g), W. E. Vermerris, M. Gallo, J. R. Fedenko, J. E. Erickson, and F. Altpeter. 2013. RNAi suppression of lignin biosynthesis increases fermentable sugar yields for biofuel production from field-grown sugarcane. Plant Biotech. J. 11: 709-716.
11. Xiong, Y. (g), J. H. Jung (g), Q. Zeng (v), M. Gallo and F. Altpeter. 2013. Comparison of procedures for DNA coating of microcarriers in the transient and stable biolistic transformation of sugarcane. J Plant Biotech. 112: 95-99.
12. Rios, E., A. R. Blount, J. E. Erickson, K. Quesenberry, F. Altpeter, C. Cellon and K. Kenworthy. 2013. Root and shoot characterization of mutant turf-type bahiagrasses. Intern. Turfgrass Soc. Res. J. 12: 509-516.
13. Joshi, S., Jain, M., Tillman, B.L., Altpeter F. and M. Gallo. 2013. Comparative analysis of direct plant regeneration from immature leaf whorl and floral explants for three elite US sugarcane (Saccharum spp. hybrids) genotypes. In Vitro Cell.Dev.Biol.-Plant 49: 674-681.
14. Jung, J. H. (g), W. M. Fouad (p), W. Vermerris, M. Gallo and F. Altpeter. 2012. RNAi suppression of lignin biosynthesis in sugarcane reduces recalcitrance for biofuel production from lignocellulosic biomass. Plant Biotech. J. 10: 1067-1076.
15. Kim, J. Y. (g), M. Gallo and F. Altpeter. 2012. Analysis of transgene integration and expression following biolistic transfer of different quantities of minimal expression cassette into sugarcane (Saccharum spp. hybrids). J. Plant Biotech. 108: 297-302.
16. Taparia, Y. (g), M. Gallo and F. Altpeter. 2012. Comparison of direct and indirect embryogenesis protocols, biolistic gene transfer and selection parameters for efficient genetic transformation of sugarcane. J. Plant Biotechnol. 111: 131–141.
17. Taparia, Y. (g), W. M. Fouad (p), M. Gallo and F. Altpeter. 2012. Rapid production of transgenic sugarcane with the introduction of simple loci following biolistic transfer of a minimal expression cassette and direct embryogenesis. In Vitro Cell. Dev. Biol. – Plant. 48: 15-22.
18. Kim, J. Y. (p), M. Kavas (v), W. M. Fouad (p), G. Nong, J. F. Preston and F. Altpeter. 2011. Production of hyperthermostable GH10 xylanase Xyl10B from Thermotoga maritima in transplastomic plants enables complete hydrolysis of methylglucuronoxylan to fermentable sugars for biofuel production. Plant Mol. Biol. 76: 357-369.
19. Sandhu, S. (g), A. R. Blount, K. E. Quesenberry and F. Altpeter. 2010. Apomixis and ploidy barrier suppress pollen mediated gene flow in field grown transgenic turf and forage grass (Paspalum notatum Flugge). Theor. Appl. Genet. 121: 919-929.
20. Xiong, X. (g), V. A. James (p) and F. Altpeter. 2010. Constitutive expression of the barley HvWRKY38 transcription factor enhances drought tolerance in turf and forage grass (Paspalum notatum Flugge) Mol. Breeding 25: 419-432.
21. Sandhu, S. (g), V. A. James (p), K. H. Quesenberry and F. Altpeter. 2009. Risk assessment of transgenic apomictic tetraploid bahiagrass, cytogenetics, breeding behavior and performance of intra-specific hybrids Theor. Appl. Genet. 119: 1383-1395.
22. Fouad, W. (p) and F. Altpeter. 2009. Chloroplast engineering to express the E. coli L-aspartate-a-decarboxylase enhances photosynthesis and biomass accumulation following heat stress. Transgenic Res. 18: 707-718.
23. Neibaur, I. (g), M. Gallo and F. Altpeter. 2008. The effect of auxin type and cytokinin concentration on callus induction and plant regeneration frequency from immature inflorescence segments of seashore paspalum. In Vitro Cell. Dev. Biol. – Plant 44: 480-485.
24. Sandhu, S. (g), and F. Altpeter. 2008. Co-integration, co-expression and inheritance of unlinked minimal transgene expression cassettes in apomictic turf and forage grass (Paspalum notatum Flugge). Plant Cell Rep. 27: 1755-1765.
25. James, V. A. (p), I. Neibaur (g) and F. Altpeter. 2008. Stress inducible expression of the DREB1A transcription factor from xeric, Hordeum spontaneum enhances abiotic stress tolerance in turf and forage grass (Paspalum notatum Flugge). Transgenic Res. 17: 93-104.
26. Puri, A., G. E. MacDonald, F. Altpeter and W. Haller. 2007. Mutations in Phytoene Desaturase Gene in Fluridone-Resistant Hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata) Biotypes in Florida. Weed Science 55: 412-420.
27. Agharkar, M. (g), P. Lomba (g), F. Altpeter, H. Zhang, K. Kenworthy and T. Lange. 2007. Stable expression of AtGA2ox1 in a low-input turfgrass (Paspalum notatum Flugge) reduces bioactive gibberellin levels and improves turf quality under field conditions. Plant Biotech. J. 5: 791-801.
28. Luciani, G. (g), F. Altpeter, J. Yactayo-Chang (u), H. Zhang (b), M. Gallo, R. Meagher and D. Wofford. 2007. Expression of cry1Fa in bahiagrass enhances resistance to fall armyworm. Crop Sci. 47: 2430-2436.
29. Sandhu, S. (g), F. Altpeter and A. R. Blount. 2007. Apomictic turf and forage grass (Paspalum notatum Flugge) expressing the bar gene is highly resistant to glufosinate under field conditions. Crop Sci. 47: 1691-1697.
30. Zhang, H. (b), P. Lomba (g) and F. Altpeter. 2007. Improved turf quality of transgenic bahiagrass constitutively expressing the ATHB16 gene, a repressor of cell expansion. Mol. Breeding 20: 415-423.
31. Altpeter, F., N. Baisakh, R. Beachy, R. Bock, T. Capell, P. Christou, H. Daniell, K. Datta, S. Datta, P. J. Dix, C. Fauquet, N. Huang, A. Kohli, H. Mooibroek, L. Nicholson, T. T. Nguyen, G. Nugent, K. Raemakers, A. Romano, D. A. Somers, E. Stoger, N. Taylor and R. Visser. 2005. Particle bombardment and the genetic enhancement of crops: myths and realities. Mol. Breeding 15: 305-327.
32. Wieser, H., W. Seilmeier, R. Kieffer and F. Altpeter. 2005. Flour protein composition and functional properties of transgenic rye lines expressing HMW subunit genes of wheat. Cereal Chem. 82: 594-600.
33. Altpeter, F. and V. A. James (p). 2005. Genetic transformation of turf-type bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum Flugge) by biolistic gene transfer. Int. Turfgrass Soc. Res. J. 10: 485-489.
34. Altpeter, F. and M. Positano (g). 2005. Efficient plant regeneration from mature seed derived embryogenic callus of turf-type bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum Flugge). Int. Turfgrass Soc. Res. J. 10: 479-484.
35. Altpeter, F., A. Varshney, O (p). Abderhalden, D. Douchkov, C. Sautter, J. Kumlehn, R. Dudler and P. Schweizer. 2005. Stable expression of a defense-related gene in wheat epidermis under transcriptional control of a novel promoter confers pathogen resistance. Plant Mol. Biol. 57: 271-283.
36. Altpeter, F., J. C. Popelka (g) and H. Wieser. 2004. Stable expression of 1Dx5 and 1Dy10 high-molecular-weight glutenin subunit genes in transgenic rye, drastically increases the polymeric glutelin fraction in rye flour. Plant Mol. Biol. 54: 783-792.
37. Popelka, J. C. (g) and F. Altpeter. 2003. Evaluation of rye (Secale cereale L.) inbred lines and their crosses for tissue culture response and stable genetic transformation of homozygous rye inbred line L22 by biolistic gene transfer. Theor. Appl. Genet. 107: 583-590.
38. Popelka, J. C. (g), J. Xu (g) and F. Altpeter. 2003. Generation of rye (Secale cereale L.) plants with low transgene copy number after biolistic gene transfer and production of instantly marker-free transgenic rye. Transgenic Res. 12: 587-596.
39. Popelka, J. C. (g) and F. Altpeter. 2003. Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated genetic transformation of rye (Secale cereale L.). Mol. Breeding 11: 203-211.
40. Fang, Y.-D. (v), C. Akula (v) and F. Altpeter. 2002. Agrobacterium-mediated barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) transformation using green fluorescent protein as a visual marker and sequence analysis of the T-DNA: genomic DNA junctions. J. Plant Physiol. 159: 1131-1138.
41. Xu, J. (g), T. Lange and F. Altpeter. 2002. Cloning and characterization of a cDNA encoding a multifunctional gibberellin 20-oxidase from perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.). Plant Science 163: 147-155.
42. Varshney, A. (p) and F. Altpeter. 2002. Stable transformation- and tissue culture response in current European winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) germplasm. Mol. Breeding 8: 295-309.
43. Popelka, J. C. (g) and F. Altpeter. 2001. Interactions between genotypes and culture media components for improved in vitro response of rye (Secale cereale L.) inbred lines. Plant Cell Rep. 20: 575-582.
44. Vasil, I. K., S. Bean, J. Zhao, P. McClusskey, G. Lookhart, H.-P. Zhao, F. Altpeter and V. Vasil. 2001. Evaluation of baking properties and gluten protein composition of field grown transgenic wheat lines expressing high molecular weight glutenin gene 1Ax1. J. Plant Physiol. 158: 521-528.
45. Altpeter, F., J. Xu (g) and S. Ahmed (v). 2001. Stable genetic transformation of commercial cool season turfgrass (Lolium perenne L and Festuca rubra L.) cultivars. Int. Turfgrass Soc. Res. J. 9: 123-128.
46. Xu, J. (g), J. Schubert and F. Altpeter. 2001. Dissection of RNA mediated virus resistance in fertile transgenic perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.). Plant Journal 26: 265-274.
47. Altpeter, F., J. Xu (g) and S. Ahmed (v). 2000. Generation of large numbers of independently transformed fertile perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) plants of forage- and turf type cultivars. Mol. Breeding 6: 519-528.
48. Altpeter, F. and J. Xu (g). 2000. Rapid production of transgenic turfgrass (Festuca rubra L.) plants. J. Plant Physiol. 157: 441-448.
49. Altpeter, F. and U. K. Posselt. 2000. Improved plant regeneration from cell suspensions of commercial cultivars, breeding- and inbred lines of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.). J. Plant Physiol. 156: 790-796.
50. Altpeter, F., I. Diaz, H. McAuslane, K. Gaddour, P. Carbonero and I. K. Vasil. 1999. Increased insect resistance in transgenic wheat stably expressing trypsin inhibitor CMe. Mol. Breeding 5: 53-63.
51. Altpeter, F., V. Vasil, V. Srivastava, E. Stoger and I. K. Vasil. 1996. Accelerated production of transgenic wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) plants. Plant Cell Rep. 16: 12-17.
52. Altpeter, F., V. Vasil, V. Srivastava and I. K. Vasil. 1996. Integration and expression of the high molecular weight glutenin subunit 1Ax1 into wheat. Nature Biotechnol. 14: 1155-1159.
53. Posselt, U.K. and F. Altpeter. 1994. Improvement of snow mold resistance by conventional and in vitro techniques. Euphytica 77: 251-255.
54. Altpeter, F. and U. K. Posselt. 1994. Regeneration of fertile plants from cell-suspension-derived small-cell colonies of Lolium perenne (L.). Plant Breeding 113: 327-330.
55. Altpeter, F. and U. K. Posselt. 1994. Production of high quantities of 3-acetyldeoxynivalenol and deoxynivalenol. Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol. 41: 384-387.
Society for In Vitro Biology, Board of Directors; 2011 - present
Associate Editor, PCTOC: Journal of Plant Biotechnology; 2008 - 2016
Subject Editor, Plant Breeding; 2008 - 2016
Associate Editor, Crop Science; 2004 - 2009
This gene regulates plant lipid metabolism, and its overexpression can increase oil content in plant biomass for its utilization in biofuel production. Biofuels are liquid fuels produced through the utilization of renewable sources, such as plants, algae, and oil and animal fat waste. In 2023, the U.S. biofuels market size was estimated at $31.93 billion with a projected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.8% by 2030 . However, despite the potential of the biofuel industry, biofuel production faces several limitations, such as a limited feedstock supply and energy-intensive and cost-ineffective production. Genetic engineering for the hyperaccumulation of lipids in vegetative plant tissues of high biomass crops is a promising strategy to significantly increase the lipid yield for the production of advanced biofuels. Triacylglycerol (TAG) represents the main lipid deposits in plants, and its catabolism prevents its hyper-accumulation in vegetative tissues. Current strategies for plant-lipid derived biofuel production include the upregulation of genes involved in lipid biosynthesis, TAG assembly, and the suppression of lipid degradation. However, there is a lack of effective plant-specific metabolic engineering tools.
Researchers at the University of Florida have developed a genetic engineering approach to increase lipid accumulation by overexpressing AHL4, a gene involved in the suppression of lipid catabolism. By boosting hyperaccumulation of biomass oil content and plant biomass, it can significantly increase the production of biofuels.
Overexpression of AHL4 to increase plant biomass oil content and boost the production of advanced biofuels
Technology
Genetic engineering for hyperaccumulation of lipids in plant tissues is an attractive strategy to increase the lipid yield per land area and boost the production of advanced biofuels. Researchers at the University of Florida have employed genetic engineering to overexpress the AHL4 gene, increasing lipid content in vegetative plant biomass. AHL4 is a transcriptional repressor, and it co-suppresses genes involved in lipid catabolism. Overexpression of AHL4 leads to impaired hydrolyzation of triacylglycerol, the main form of stored lipids in plant seeds, rapidly increasing lipid accumulation in plants and resulting in increased plant biomass. Translating this strategy to high biomass crops such as sugarcane can significantly boost lipid yields per land area for biofuel production.
