CAD — Medicago truncatula

Summary

MTR_1G107425, designated MtCAD, encodes a cinnamyl-alcohol dehydrogenase with coniferyl-alcohol dehydrogenase activity, belonging to the CAD-like protein family and containing zinc-binding and NAD(P)-binding domains. The gene is associated with lignin anabolism, detoxification, and structural organization, and its product localizes to the cytosol and cytoplasm. MtCAD has been linked to photosynthetic rate and respiration rate, as well as disinapoyl ester accumulation. Studies of related genes in other species connect the CAD family to lignin biosynthesis, composition, and biomass recalcitrance, and to plant defense and disease resistance. Associations transferred from other species also link the family to traits including lignin content, stem strength, cellulose content, flavonoid content, plant height, root length, root dry weight, chlorophyll content, net photosynthetic rate, stomatal resistance, seed maturation, and salt tolerance.