COMT — Brachypodium distachyon

Summary

BdCOMT (BRADI_3G16530V3) on chromosome 3 of Brachypodium distachyon encodes a caffeate O-methyltransferase with additional O-methyltransferase activities toward tricetin, quercetin, myricetin, flavone, and acetylserotonin, and it belongs to the COMT-like and SAM-dependent methyltransferase superfamilies. The gene is associated with lignin, flavonoid, and indole glucosinolate biosynthesis, as well as serotonin and melatonin metabolism, and has been linked to lignin content, leaf vein morphology, viral disease response, and reproductive period. It is also connected to cell wall localisation, stress granule formation, and responses to freezing, hydrogen peroxide, and mannitol. Studies of related genes in other species link the COMT family to forage yield, stem strength, dry matter digestibility, biomass yield, seed weight, and drought sensitivity.