ZB8 — Oryza sativa Japonica

Summary

Os02g0626400 (ZB8, also known as OsPAL1–4) encodes a phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (EC 4.3.1.24) with tyrosine ammonia-lyase activity, a key enzyme in the phenylpropanoid pathway. In rice, the gene is associated with resistance to sheath blight, bacterial blight, and root-knot nematode, as well as lignin deposition. It is linked to diverse biological processes including cinnamic acid and salicylic acid biosynthesis, lignin breakdown, downregulation of chlorophyll anabolism, and drought recovery. The encoded protein is found in the cytosol, nucleus, and SCF complex, and also exhibits DNA-binding transcription factor activity. Associations with agronomic traits include grain weight, grain yield, plant height, tiller number, stem strength, culm strength, seedling vigor, cold tolerance, salt tolerance, leaf angle, and anthocyanin content. Studies of related genes in other species connect the family to UV stress resistance, herbivore defense, and chlorogenic acid accumulation.