ZB8 — Oryza sativa Japonica

Summary

Os02g0626100 (ZB8, OsPAL) encodes a phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (EC 4.3.1.24) with tyrosine ammonia-lyase activity, belonging to the aromatic lyase family. In rice, the gene is associated with sheath blight and bacterial blight resistance, lignin deposition, and resistance to root-knot nematode. It is linked to diverse traits including grain weight, grain yield, plant height, tiller number, stem strength, culm diameter, leaf color, anthocyanin content, lignin content, cellulose content, cold tolerance, salt stress tolerance, UV-B tolerance, drought recovery, and seedling vigor. The gene is also associated with phenylpropanoid and flavonoid biosynthesis, salicylic acid breakdown, cinnamic acid anabolism, and defense responses. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to chlorogenic acid and rutin accumulation, UV stress resistance, and herbivore defense.