Plant lignification and its regulation

Lignification is a complex and dynamic process with lignin deposited in the cell wall, which can maintain central role in higher plant development and enhance resistance to various biotic and abiotic stresses. As plant cell wall is the most abundant renewable energy sources on the earth and lignification is a crucial developmental process, therefore research focusing on this process has important theory significance and practice value. This review summarized lignin composition, lignified cell types and the biosynthesis pathway, then focused on recent progress in the regulation of plant lignification, including transcriptional regulation, microRNA, hormone and environmental factors, new induction systems of lignification, and imaging technologies. This will provide insights into molecular mechanisms in lignification and theoretical basis for exploration and utilization of lignin bioengineering.