PAL — Capsicum annuum

Summary

CaPAL (T459_15618) on pepper chromosome 5 encodes a phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (EC 4.3.1.24) with ammonia-lyase and DNA-binding transcription factor activities. The enzyme is associated with phenylpropanoid and salicylate biosynthesis, lignin and cinnamic acid metabolism, and responses to UV-B, oxidative stress, low humidity, and drought recovery. It has been connected to fruit ripening, circadian rhythm, guard cell differentiation, and negative regulation of cytokinin signalling. Associations include disease resistance, wound response, anthocyanin and flavonoid accumulation, chilling and freezing tolerance, salt stress tolerance, and resistance to Corynespora cassiicola and Cucumber mosaic virus. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to heat and drought tolerance, pathogen resistance, herbivore defence, wound-induced suberization, and fruit shelf life.