PAL — Cucumis sativus

Summary

CsPAL (CSA_4G008780) on cucumber chromosome 4 encodes a phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (EC 4.3.1.24). The gene is associated with L-phenylalanine breakdown, cinnamic acid anabolism, and the regulation of flavonoid anabolism, as well as with phenylpropanoid, salicylate, and suberin biosynthesis pathways. It has been linked to traits including lignin, flavonoid, lycopene, chlorophyll, and protein content, plant height, root length, net photosynthetic rate, pollen fertility, and abscisic acid content. The encoded protein localises to the cytoplasm and is also associated with cell wall thickening, pigment accumulation, and phosphate metabolism. Studies of related genes in other species confirm the family’s conserved role in phenylpropanoid metabolism.