COMT — Brassica oleracea

Summary

BoCOMT, encoded by gene BOLC102_C09P046990.1 on cabbage chromosome 9, is a SAM-dependent methyltransferase belonging to the COMT-like family. The enzyme exhibits multiple O-methyltransferase activities, including caffeate, myricetin 3'-O-, quercetin 3-O-, flavone 3'-O-, and acetylserotonin O-methyltransferase. In cabbage, BoCOMT is associated with lignin, flavonoid, phenylpropanoid, and melatonin biosynthesis, as well as chlorophyll breakdown, seed oilbody biogenesis, mucilage anabolism during seed coat development, and responses to freezing and mannitol. It is linked to flavonoid and lignin content, leaf vein morphology, viral disease response, and cell growth traits. The protein localises to the cytosol, nucleus, plasma membrane, plastid, plasmodesma, and plant-type cell wall. Studies of related genes in other species link the COMT family to caffeic acid O-methyltransferase activity, melatonin biosynthesis, and nitrogen stress adaptation.