PAL — Capsicum annuum

Summary

CaPAL (T459_22640) on pepper chromosome 9 encodes a phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (EC 4.3.1.24), a Phe_NH3-lyase family enzyme with ammonia-lyase and amino-acid-binding activities. In pepper, CaPAL is associated with phenylpropanoid and salicylate biosynthesis, lignin breakdown, fruit ripening, drought recovery, guard cell differentiation, and responses to UV-B, oxidative stress, low humidity, and programmed cell death. It localises to the cytosol, nucleus, and SCF complex. The gene is linked to disease resistance, 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 connect the family to heat and drought tolerance, herbivore defence, wound-induced suberization, fruit shelf life, and floral scent production.