PAL1 — Cicer arietinum

Summary

LOC101493062, designated CaPAL1 on chickpea chromosome 2, encodes a phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) enzyme with phenylalanine ammonia-lyase activity, also annotated with DNA-binding transcription factor activity and protein dimerization activity. The gene is associated with L-phenylalanine breakdown, cinnamic acid anabolism, and regulation of phenylpropanoid metabolism, as well as salicylic acid and lignin breakdown. CaPAL1 is linked to responses to UV-B, wounding, oxidative stress, low humidity, and drought recovery, and to guard cell fate commitment and pollen development. Associations with photosynthetic rate, respiration rate, and UV light sensitivity have been noted. The gene is linked to numerous traits including lignin content, anthocyanin biosynthesis, flavonoid biosynthesis, disease resistance, salt tolerance, freezing tolerance, and herbicide resistance. Studies of related genes in other species connect the gene family to UV stress tolerance, stomatal development, and phenylalanine metabolism.