CAD — Brachypodium distachyon

Summary

BdCAD (BRADI_3G22980V3) on chromosome 3 of Brachypodium distachyon encodes a cinnamyl-alcohol dehydrogenase (CAD) with aryl-alcohol dehydrogenase (NADP⁺), mannitol dehydrogenase, and coniferyl-alcohol dehydrogenase activities (EC 1.1.1.195). The protein belongs to the CAD-like family and contains ADH_Zn_CS and NAD(P)-binding domains. In this species, BdCAD is associated with lignin biosynthesis, fermentation, green leaf volatile biosynthesis, the hypersensitive response, and response to bacteria. It localises to the apoplast, cytosol, and plasma membrane. Observed phenotypes linked to BdCAD include altered flowering time, stem weight, stem count, and a leaf brown midrib phenotype. The gene is also associated with traits such as lignin content, biomass yield, ethanol yield from biomass, photosynthetic rate, leaf midrib color, and reproductive period. Studies of related CAD genes in other species link the family to lignification, plant defense, cell wall composition, stem strength, and tillering.