COMT — Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris

Summary

BvCOMT (BVRB_1G002010) on sugar beet chromosome 1 encodes a member of the SAM-dependent methyltransferase superfamily with O-methyltransferase activity, including caffeate, quercetin, and flavone 3'-O-methyltransferase activities. The gene is associated with multiple biosynthetic processes, including lignin, coumarin, flavonol, indole glucosinolate, alkaloid, and melatonin anabolism, as well as serotonin metabolism and regulation of anthocyanin metabolism. It has been connected to leaf vein morphology, viral disease response, photosynthetic rate, and cell growth and development traits. Phenotypic associations include callus formation, guaiacol production, resistance to root-knot nematode, lignin and flavonoid biosynthesis, alkaline stress tolerance, and vascular development. The protein localizes to the cytosol, nucleus, plastid, plasmalemma, plasmodesma, plant-type cell wall, and stress granules. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to lignin content, drought tolerance, salt tolerance, cold tolerance, and photosynthesis.