Woody plant cell walls: Fundamentals and utilization.

Cell walls in plants, particularly forest trees, are the major carbon sink of the terrestrial ecosystem. Chemical and biosynthetic features of plant cell walls were revealed early on, focusing mostly on herbaceous model species. Recent developments in genomics, transcriptomics, epigenomics, transgenesis, and associated analytical techniques are enabling novel insights into formation of woody cell walls. Here, we review multilevel regulation of cell wall biosynthesis in forest tree species. We highlight current approaches to engineering cell walls as potential feedstock for materials and energy and survey reported field tests of such engineered transgenic trees. We outline opportunities and challenges in future research to better understand cell type biogenesis for more efficient wood cell wall modification and utilization for biomaterials or for enhanced carbon capture and storage. This review highlights recent discoveries in the biogenesis and function of three xylem cell types and multilevel regulation of cell wall biosynthesis for wood formation. Moreover, it provides a comprehensive summary of current understanding of the biosynthesis and modification of cell wall components as well as utilization of plant cell walls. Finally, opportunities and challenges for future research of cell walls in forest tree species are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]