ALS — Nicotiana attenuata

Summary

A4A49_04850 (ALS) on chromosome 6 of coyote tobacco encodes an acetolactate synthase, a thiamine pyrophosphate-dependent enzyme. The gene product is annotated with acetolactate synthase activity, pyruvate decarboxylase activity, and 2-hydroxyacyl-CoA lyase activity, and localises to the chloroplast stroma as part of the acetolactate synthase complex. ALS is associated with branched-chain amino acid anabolism, valine biosynthesis, and response to herbicide. In this species, the IMR1 allele confers resistance to sulfonylurea and imidazolinone herbicides, and the gene is linked to herbicide tolerance via the G121A substitution. Studies of related genes in other species connect the family to herbicide resistance, imidazolinone tolerance, and effects on plant growth, seed production, and chlorophyll content.