Bioscience Methods 2024, Vol.15, No.6, 289-301 http://bioscipublisher.com/index.php/bm 296 7.2 Soil and nutrient impacts on biosynthesis Soil composition and nutrient availability significantly impact rubber biosynthesis in both species. Hevea brasiliensis is often cultivated in acidic soils, which can contain high levels of aluminum. The rubber tree has developed mechanisms to tolerate these conditions, such as the expression of aluminum-activated malate transporter (ALMT) genes that help in aluminum detoxification, thereby supporting healthy growth and latex production (Ma et al., 2020). In contrast, Eucommia ulmoides shows a different set of adaptations to its soil environment. The presence of specific long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and differentially expressed genes involved in cellular processes like cell wall formation and growth suggests that E. ulmoides has evolved to efficiently utilize available nutrients for rubber biosynthesis (Liu et al., 2018). 7.3 Adaptations of Eucommia ulmoides andHevea brasiliensis to their environments Eucommia ulmoides and Hevea brasiliensis have developed distinct adaptations to their respective environments, which influence their rubber biosynthesis pathways. Eucommia ulmoides, with its high expression levels of genes involved in stress responses and secondary metabolite biosynthesis, exhibits considerable environmental adaptability. This adaptability is reflected in its ability to synthesize trans-polyisoprene via expanded farnesyl diphosphate synthase (FPS) gene families, which are distinct from those in Hevea brasiliensis (Wuyun et al., 2017). Additionally, the genome of E. ulmoides has undergone unique evolutionary events, such as a whole-genome duplication, which have contributed to its robust rubber biosynthesis capabilities (Li et al., 2020). Hevea brasiliensis, on the other hand, has specialized in producing cis-polyisoprene and has developed specific physiological and biochemical mechanisms to thrive in tropical environments. The expression of FPS genes in various tissues, particularly in response to environmental stresses like bark tapping and hormonal treatments, highlights the tree's adaptation to its ecological niche (Chuntai et al., 2017). These adaptations ensure efficient rubber production even under varying environmental conditions, making Hevea brasiliensis a dominant source of natural rubber. In summary, while both Eucommia ulmoides and Hevea brasiliensis produce natural rubber, their biosynthesis pathways and environmental adaptations are shaped by their unique ecological contexts. Understanding these factors can provide insights into improving rubber yield and quality through targeted genetic and environmental management strategies. 8 Industrial Applications and Economic Potential 8.1 Utilization of rubber fromEucommia ulmoides Eucommia ulmoides rubber (EUR) has garnered significant attention due to its unique properties and potential applications. Unlike the traditional natural rubber from Hevea brasiliensis, which is composed of cis-1,4-polyisoprene, EUR is primarily made up of trans-1,4-polyisoprene. This structural difference imparts EUR with a dual nature, exhibiting characteristics of both rubber and plastic, making it a novel material in various industries. The extraction, structure, and physicochemical properties of EUR have been extensively studied, revealing its potential in environmental, agricultural, engineering, and biomedical fields (Wei et al., 2021). The high-quality genome assembly of E. ulmoides has further facilitated research into its rubber biosynthesis pathways, enabling genetic engineering efforts to enhance its industrial applications (Wuyun et al., 2017; Li et al., 2020). 8.2 Market demand for natural rubber The global demand for natural rubber is substantial, driven by its extensive use in manufacturing over 50,000 products, including tires and medical gloves (Cherian et al., 2019) (Figure 3). Hevea brasiliensis remains the primary source of natural rubber, but its production is vulnerable to diseases and climatic changes, prompting the search for alternative sources. The unique properties of EUR position it as a promising alternative, potentially alleviating some of the supply pressures on H. brasiliensis. The increasing interest in EUR is also fueled by its potential to meet specific industrial needs that traditional natural rubber cannot, due to its distinct trans-polyisoprene composition (Chow et al., 2007; Wei et al., 2021).
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