Molecular Mechanisms Responsible for Enhanced Growth of Aspen Trees under Elevated [CO2]

Aspen (Populus tremuloides) trees growing under elevated [CO₂] at a free-air CO₂ enrichment (FACE) site produced significantly more biomass than control trees.  We investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying the observed increase in biomass by producing transcriptomic profiles of the vascular cambium zone (VCZ) and leaves, and then performed a comparative study to identify significantly changed genes and pathways after 12 years exposure to elevated [CO₂].  In leaves, elevated [CO₂] enhanced expression of genes related to Calvin cycle activity and linked pathways.  In the VCZ, the pathways involved in cell growth, cell division, hormone metabolism, and secondary cell wall formation were altered while auxin conjugation, ABA synthesis, and cytokinin glucosylation and degradation were inhibited.  Similarly, the genes involved in hemicellulose and pectin biosynthesis were enhanced, but some genes that catalyze important steps in lignin biosynthesis pathway were inhibited.   Evidence from systemic analysis supported the functioning of multiple molecular mechanisms that underpin the enhanced radial growth in response to elevated [CO₂].