My research focuses on lignification and cell death of xylem elements and how these processes influence the chemical and physical properties of the secondary cell walls and woody tissues of vascular plants. We use two model systems. The roots and hypocotyls of Arabidopsis thaliana provide excellent models for understanding the molecular and genetic control of xylem differentiation, while the woody tissues of aspen (Populus tremula) trees are practical for high-resolution gene expression, genetic, genomic and functional assays.

Xylem elements mature by depositing cellulose-rich secondary cell walls until they die through programmed cell death. Cell death therefore controls the thickness of the secondary cell walls of the xylem by controlling the lifetime of the xylem elements. We have earlier shown that cell death also controls lignification of xylem elements. Work done in the Zinnia elegans tracheary element differentiation system revealed that lignin biosynthesis continues even after cell death and that lignin polymerization occurs only after cell death. This sequence of events needs to be strictly controlled in time and place. In my previous work I have characterized the cell death process and identified factors that control both lignification and cell death of the xylem elements. The current aim is to functionally characterise several of these newly identified factors. One of the focus areas is the signaling and functional characterisation of the Arabidopsis thaliana metacaspase gene family using reverse genetic, forward genetic and biochemical methods in intact plants and in ectopic, hormonally induced tracheary elements.

The fact that the lifetime of the xylem elements controls the thickness of the cell walls and hence the extent of biomass production within each cell implies that that the identification of cell death controlling factors could be used to modify overall biomass production in forest trees. We have taken two different approaches to investigate the relationships between xylem maturation, the chemical and physical properties of the secondary cell wall and the properties of wood. The first approach is to modify expression of selected candidate genes in transgenic aspen (Populus tremula) trees using cell-specific promoters, newest DNA editing technologies and tree phenotyping platform with the aim of delaying xylem cell death and thereby improving biomass properties. The second approach takes advantage of the natural variation within a Swedish aspen population with the aim to identify variation in the secondary cell wall and wood properties and the underlying molecular mechanism by genome-wide association mapping.
Svensk sammanfattning
Cv Dr. Hannele Tuominen
Education and academic degrees
- 2006 Docent, Plant developmental biology, University of Helsinki, Finland
- 1997 PhD, Forest Plant Physiology, The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Umeå
- 1991 MSc, The University of Oulu, Finland
Employments
- 2020- Professor, Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology, SLU
- 2008-2019 Associate professor, Department of Plant Physiology, Umeå University
- 2005-2007 Assisting lecturer, Department of Plant Physiology, Umeå University
- 2001-2005 Assistant professor, Department of Plant Physiology, Umeå University
- 1997-2001 post doc, Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, Finland
Special Awards and Honours
- 2008 Young Researcher Award (2 million SEK for research), Umeå university
- 2010-2014 Director of the Strong Research Environment BioImprove
Publication list
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ACAULIS5 Is Required for Cytokinin Accumulation and Function During Secondary Growth of Populus Trees
Front Plant Sci 2020, 11:601858
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ETHYLENE RESPONSE FACTOR 115 integrates jasmonate and cytokinin signaling machineries to repress adventitious rooting in Arabidopsis
New Phytol. 2020 Jul 7 [Epub ahead of print]
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The chromatin-modifying protein HUB2 is involved in the regulation of lignin composition in xylem vessels
J Exp Bot. 2020, 71(18):5484-5494
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Classification and Nomenclature of Metacaspases and Paracaspases: No More Confusion with Caspases
Mol Cell. 2020, 77(5):927-929
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Cell death in cells overlying lateral root primordia facilitates organ growth in Arabidopsis
Current Biology 2020, 30(3):455-464
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PIRIN2 suppresses S-type lignin accumulation in a non-cell-autonomous manner in Arabidopsis xylem elements
New Phytol. 2019 Oct 18 [Epub ahead of print]
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Ethylene Signaling Is Required for Fully Functional Tension Wood in Hybrid Aspen
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2019, 10
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An AP2/ERF transcription factor ERF139 coordinates xylem cell expansion and secondary cell wall deposition
New Phytol. 2019, 224(4):1585-1599
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High Spatial Resolution Profiling in Tree Species
Annual Plant Reviews Online 2019
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Extracellular peptide Kratos restricts cell death during vascular development and stress in Arabidopsis
J Exp Bot. 2019, 70(7):2199-2210
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Ethylene-Related Gene Expression Networks in Wood Formation
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2018, 9:272
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Transcriptional roadmap to seasonal variation in wood formation of Norway spruce
Plant Physiol. 2018, 176(4):2851-2870
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A multi-omics approach reveals function of Secretory Carrier-Associated Membrane Proteins in wood formation of Populus trees
BMC Genomics. 2018, 19(1)
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The function of two type II metacaspases in woody tissues of Populus trees
New Phytol. 2018, 217(4):1551-1565
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A collection of genetically engineered Populus trees reveals wood biomass traits that predict glucose yield from enzymatic hydrolysis
Sci Rep 2017, 7(1):15798
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Metacaspases versus caspases in development and cell fate regulation
Cell Death Differ. 2017, 24(8):1314-1325
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AspWood: High-spatial-resolution transcriptome profiles reveal uncharacterized modularity of wood formation in Populus tremula
Plant Cell. 2017, 29 (7):1585-1604
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NorWood: a gene expression resource for evo-devo studies of conifer wood development
New Phytol. 2017, 216(2):482-494
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Quick Histochemical Staining Methods to Detect Cell Death in Xylem Elements of Plant Tissues
Methods Mol Biol. 2017;1544:27-36
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Contribution of cellular autolysis to tissular functions during plant development
Curr Opin Plant Biol. 2017, 35:124-130
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METACASPASE9 modulates autophagy to confine cell death to the target cells during Arabidopsis vascular xylem differentiation
Biol Open. 2016, 5(2):122-129
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A bHLH-Based Feedback Loop Restricts Vascular Cell Proliferation in Plants
Dev Cell. 2015, 35(4):432-443
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Cooperative Lignification of Xylem Tracheary Elements
Plant Signal Behav. 2015;10(4):e1003753
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GRIM REAPER peptide binds to receptor kinase PRK5 to trigger cell death in Arabidopsis
EMBO J. 2015, 31(1):55-66
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PIRIN2 stabilizes cysteine protease XCP2 and increases susceptibility to the vascular pathogen Ralstonia solanacearum in Arabidopsis
Plant J. 2014, 79(6):1009-1019
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Programmes of cell death and autolysis in tracheary elements: when a suicidal cell arranges its own corpse removal
J Exp Bot. 2014; 65(5):1313-1321
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Thermospermine levels are controlled by an auxin-dependent feedback loop mechanism in Populus xylem
The Plant Journal 2013, 75:685–698
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Post mortem function of AtMC9 in xylem vessel elements
New Phytol. 2013, 200(2):498-510
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The Norway spruce genome sequence and conifer genome evolution
Nature 2013; 497(7451):579-584
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Non-Cell-Autonomous Postmortem Lignification of Tracheary Elements in Zinnia elegans
Plant Cell. 2013; 25(4):1314-1328
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Bollhöner B, Prestele J, Tuominen H
Xylem cell death: emerging understanding of regulation and function
Journal of Experimental Botany 2012 63(3):1081-94
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Pesquet E, Tuominen H
Ethylene stimulates tracheary element differentiation in Zinnia elegans cell cultures
New Phytologist: 2011 190:138-149
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Vera-Sirera F, Minguet EG, Singh SK, Ljung K, Tuominen H, Blázquez MA, Carbonell J
Role of polyamines in plant vascular development
Plant Physiology and Biochemistry: 2010 48:534-539
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Fracheboud Y, Luquez V, Björkén L, Sjödin A, Tuominen H, Jansson S
The control of autumn senescence in European aspen
Plant Physiology: 2009 149:1982-1991
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Fracheboud Y, Luquez V, Björkén L, Sjödin A, Tuominen H, Jansson S
The control of autumn senescence in European aspen
Plant Physiology: 2009 149:1982-1991
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Courtois-Moreau CL, Pesquet E, Sjödin A, Muniz L, Bollhöner B, Kaneda M, Samuels L, Jansson S, Tuominen H
A unique program for cell death in xylem fibers of Populus stem
The Plant Journal: 2009 58(2):260-274
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Overmeyer K, Kollist H, Tuominen H, Betz, C, Langebartels C, Wingsle G, Kangasjärvi S, Brader G, Mullineaux P, Kangasjärvi J
Complex phenotypic profiles leading to ozone sensitivity in Arabidopsis thaliana mutants
Plant, Cell and Environment: 2008 31: 1237-1249
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Overmeyer K, Kollist H, Tuominen H, Betz, C, Langebartels C, Wingsle G, Kangasjärvi S, Brader G, Mullineaux P, Kangasjärvi J
Complex phenotypic profiles leading to ozone sensitivity in Arabidopsis thaliana mutants
Plant, Cell and Environment: 2008 31: 1237-1249
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Muñiz L, Minguet EG, Singh SK, Pesquet E, Vera-Sirera F, Moreau-Courtois CL, Carbonell J, Blázquez MA, Tuominen H
ACAULIS5 controls Arabidopsis xylem specification through the prevention of premature cell death
Development: 2008 135:2573-2582
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Muniz L, Minguet EG, Singh SK, Pesquet E, Vera-Sirera F, Moreau-Courtois CL, Carbonell J, Blázquez MA, Tuominen H
ACAULIS5 controls Arabidopsis xylem specification through the prevention of premature cell death
Development: 2008 135:2573-2582
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Keech O, Pesquet E, Ahad A, Askne A, Nordvall D, Vodnala SM, Tuominen H, Hurry V, Dizengremel P, Gardeström P
The different fates of mitochondria and chloroplasts during dark-induced senescence in Arabidopsis leaves
Plant, Cell and Environment: 2007 30:1523-1534
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Ruonala R, Rinne PLH, Baghour M, Moritz T, Tuominen H, Kangasjarvi J
Transitions in the functioning of the shoot apical meristem in birch (Betula pendula) involve ethylene
Plant Journal: 2006 46:628-640
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Moreau C, Aksenov N, Lorenzo MG, Segerman B, Funk C, Nilsson P, Jansson S, Tuominen H
A genomic approach to investigate developmental cell death in woody tissues of Populus trees
Genome Biology: 2005 6:R34
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Overmyer K, BroschE M, Pellinen R, Kuittinen T, Tuominen H, Ahlfors R, Keinanen M, Saarma M, Scheel D, Kangasjarvi J
Ozone-induced programmed cell death in the Arabidopsis radical-induced cell death1 mutant
Plant Physiol: 2005 137:1092-1104
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Ahlfors R, Lång S, Overmyer K, Jaspers P, BroschE M, Tauriainen A, Kollist H, Tuominen H, Boix EB, Piippo M, InzE D, Palva ET, Kangasjarvi J
Arabidopsis RADICAL-INDUCED CELL DEATH1 belongs to the WWE protein-protein interaction domain protein family and modulates abscisic acid, ethylene, and methyl jasmonate responses
Plant Cell: 2004 16:1925-1937
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Tuominen H, Overmyer K, Keinanen M, Kollist H, Kangasjarvi J
Mutual antagonism of ethylene and jasmonic acid regulates ozone-induced spreading cell death in Arabidopsis
Plant J: 2004 39:59-69
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Ahlfors R, Keinanen M, Kollist H, Kuusela T, Lang S, Overmyer K, Pulkkinen P, Tuominen H, Kangasjarvi J
Hormonal interactions and ROS-dependent cell death
Free Radical Research: 2003 37:6-7
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Vahala J, Ruonala R, Keinanen M, Tuominen H, Kangasjarvi J
Ethylene insensitivity modulates ozone-induced cell death in birch
Plant Physiol: 2003 132:185-195
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Overmyer K, Tuominen H, Kettunen R, Betz C, Langebartels C, Sandermann H, Kangasjarvi J
Ozone-sensitive Arabidopsis rcd1 mutant reveals opposite roles for ethylene and jasmonate signaling pathways in regulating superoxide-dependent cell death
Plant Cell: 2000 12:1849-1862
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Tuominen H, Puech L, Regan S, Fink S, Olsson O, Sundberg B
Cambial-region-specific expression of the Agrobacterium iaa genes in transgenic aspen visualized by a linked uidA reporter gene
Plant Physiology: 2000 123:531-541
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Regan S, Bourquin V, Tuominen H, Sundberg B
Accurate and high resolution in situ hybridization analysis of gene expression in secondary stem tissues
Plant J: 1999 19:363-369
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Nilsson O, Tuominen H, Sundberg B, Olsson O
The Agrobacterium rhizogenes rolB and rolC promoters are expressed in pericycle cells competent to serve as root initials in transgenic hybrid aspen
Physiologia Plantarum: 1997 100:456-462
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Tuominen H, Puech L, Fink S, Sundberg B
A Radial Concentration Gradient of Indole- 3- Acetic Acid Is Related to Secondary Xylem Development in Hybrid Aspen
Plant Physiol: 1997 115:577-585
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Tuominen H, Sitbon F, Jacobsson C, Sandberg G, Olsson O, Sundberg B
Altered Growth and Wood Characteristics in Transgenic Hybrid Aspen Expressing Agrobacterium -Tumefaciens T -DNA Indoleacetic -Acid Biosynthetic Genes
Plant Physiology: 1995 109:1179-1189
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Sundberg B, Tuominen H, Little CHA
Effects of the Indole- 3- Acetic- Acid (Iaa) Transport Inhibitors N- 1- Naphthylphthalamic Acid and Morphactin on Endogenous Iaa Dynamics in Relation to Compression Wood Formation in 1- Year- Old Pinus- Sylvestris (L) Shoots
Plant Physiology: 1994 106:469-476
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Tuominen H, Ostin A, Sandberg G, Sundberg B
A Novel Metabolic Pathway for Indole- 3- Acetic- Acid in Apical Shoots of Populus- Tremula (L) X Populus-Tremuloides (Michx)
Plant Physiology: 1994 106:1511-1520
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Rinne P, Tuominen H, Sundberg B
Growth-Patterns and Endogenous Indole- 3- Acetic- Acid Concentrations in Current- Year Coppice Shoots and Seedlings of 2 Betula Species
Physiologia Plantarum: 1993 88:403-412
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Rinne P, Tuominen H, Junttila O
Arrested Leaf Abscission in the Nonabscising Variety of Pubescent Birch - Developmental, Morphological and Hormonal Aspects
Journal of Experimental Botany: 1992 43:975-982