Popis: |
This reporting period witnessed a number of exciting and important breakthroughs in the study of lignin synthesis in plants and resulted in a significant deviation from the work plan originally proposed. Taken together, the authors` results reveal an emerging picture of a highly ordered assembly of the lignin polymer at the plasma membrane/cell-wall interface, in contrast to original considerations projecting a random series of coupling reactions. The Progress Report is divided into two sections: the first section reflects the interlocking research completed to date in the laboratories of N.G. Lewis and G.H.N. Towers. In the broadest sense, the Lewis group has focused mainly on woody plants, whereas the Towers laboratory examined similar processes in cereals/grasses. The second section compiles published work, a summary of manuscripts in preparation, and work currently underway for year three of the existing grant. |