ZB8 — Oryza sativa Japonica

Summary

OsZB8 (also known as PAL1–4) on rice chromosome 12 encodes a protein with phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, tyrosine ammonia-lyase, and ammonia-lyase activities, as well as DNA-binding transcription factor activity. The gene is associated with resistance to sheath blight, bacterial blight, and root-knot nematode, and with lignin deposition. It is linked to downregulation of chlorophyll anabolism, salicylic acid breakdown, cinnamic acid anabolism, hydrogen peroxide biosynthesis, and negative regulation of cytokinin signalling. Associations include IAA content, seedling vigor, leaf angle, tiller number, plant height, photosynthetic rate, cold and salt tolerance, and UV sensitivity. The product localises to the cytosol, cytoplasm, nucleus, and SCF complex. Studies of related genes in other species link the PAL family to UV stress resistance, herbivore defence, and chlorogenic acid accumulation.