PAL — Capsicum annuum

Summary

CaPAL (T459_22642) on pepper chromosome 9 encodes a phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (EC 4.3.1.24), an enzyme with ammonia-lyase activity that also exhibits amino acid binding, protein dimerization, and DNA-binding transcription factor activity. It belongs to the Phe_NH3-lyase and aromatic lyase families. In pepper, CaPAL is associated with phenylpropanoid and salicylate biosynthesis, lignin breakdown, fruit ripening, drought recovery, UV-B response, oxidative stress, programmed cell death, and guard cell fate commitment. It localizes to the cytosol, nucleus, and SCF complex. The gene is linked to disease resistance, pathogen and wound responses, anthocyanin and flavonoid synthesis, 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 tolerance, drought tolerance, herbivore defense, floral scent production, and fruit shelf life.