Targeting hydroxycinnamoyl CoA: shikimate hydroxycinnamoyl transferase for lignin modification in Brachypodium distachyon.

Down-regulation of HCT1, or co-down-regulation of both HCT genes, in B. distachyon results in less extensive changes in lignin content/composition and cell wall structure than observed following HCT down-regulation in dicots, with little negative impact on biomass yield. Nevertheless, HCT down-regulation leads to significant improvements in biomass saccharification efficiency, making this gene a preferred target for biotechnological improvement of grasses for bioprocessing.