{"entity": "publication", "iuid": "cc3ba625c0944b0999d540d964303d3a", "timestamp": "2026-10-14T03:20:52.797Z", "links": {"self": {"href": "https://publications.scilifelab.se/publication/cc3ba625c0944b0999d540d964303d3a.json"}, "display": {"href": "https://publications.scilifelab.se/publication/cc3ba625c0944b0999d540d964303d3a"}}, "title": "A high spatial resolution transcriptomics of tension wood reveals the genetic program of contractile G-layer formation.", "authors": [{"family": "Kumar", "given": "Manoj", "initials": "M"}, {"family": "Grones", "given": "Carolin", "initials": "C"}, {"family": "Allen", "given": "Holly", "initials": "H"}, {"family": "Lundberg-Felten", "given": "Judith", "initials": "J"}, {"family": "Delhomme", "given": "Nicolas", "initials": "N"}, {"family": "Sundberg", "given": "Bjorn", "initials": "B"}, {"family": "Mellerowicz", "given": "Ewa J", "initials": "EJ"}], "type": "journal article", "published": "2026-09-23", "journal": {"title": "Front Plant Sci", "issn": "1664-462X", "volume": "17", "pages": "1929884", "issn-l": "1664-462X"}, "abstract": "Tension wood (TW) formation in Populus involves the differentiation of G-fibers that deposit a cellulose-rich, contractile gelatinous layer (G-layer). Despite extensive study, the biosynthetic programs underlying G-layer formation have remained incompletely resolved, in part due to imprecise sampling of developmental stages. Here, we generate a high spatial-resolution transcriptome atlas of developing Populus tremula wood by tangential cryo-sectioning of TW and normal wood (NW) forming tissue. We overlaid microscopically determined cell wall thickening profiles with whole-transcriptome data, resulting in seven distinguishable TW and three NW stages and a clear separation of early and late G-layer-specific transcriptional programs during TW formation. Across 22,363 expressed genes, 90 co-expression clusters captured major programs defining cell wall biosynthesis, signaling, cytoskeleton dynamics, and stress responses. Differential expression analysis identified 2,898 genes specifically regulated during early or late G-layer formation-indicating a massive transcriptional reorganization unique to TW. Genes involved in cellulose, rhamnogalacturonan I, arabinogalactan II, and callose metabolism showed distinct induction patterns, including CAZymes not previously implicated in G-layer formation. We also identified G-layer-specific genes, including XTH26 (PtXTH5), SCL18, AGL29, and genes encoding FLA12-like AGPs and LIM protein. Thirty transcription factors different than the secondary wall-inducing NACs and MYBs, and several genes involved in hormonal regulation specifically induced at the onset of G-layer formation represent novel putative regulators of the tertiary G-layer differentiation. Together, this spatially resolved transcriptome provides the most detailed map to date of the molecular program underlying TW formation, offering new insights into G-layer biosynthesis, signaling networks, and cell wall specialization in woody plants.", "doi": "10.3389/fpls.2026.1929884", "pmid": "42846099", "labels": {"NGI Stockholm (Genomics Production)": "Service", "National Genomics Infrastructure": "Service", "NGI Short read": "Service"}, "xrefs": [{"db": "pmc", "key": "PMC13642294"}], "notes": [], "created": "2026-10-13T09:20:41.705Z", "modified": "2026-10-13T09:20:41.710Z"}