ZB8 — Oryza sativa Japonica

Summary

OsZB8 (also known as PAL1–4) on rice chromosome 12 encodes a phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (EC 4.3.1.24) with tyrosine ammonia-lyase activity. The gene is associated with resistance to sheath blight, bacterial blight, and root-knot nematode, as well as lignin deposition and disease responses. It is linked to downregulation of chlorophyll anabolism, salicylic acid breakdown, cinnamic acid biosynthesis, and hydrogen peroxide production. Associations also include traits such as seedling vigor, plant height, tiller number, leaf angle, pollen fertility, germination rate, photosynthetic rate, cold tolerance, salt tolerance, and IAA content. The protein localises to the cytosol, cytoplasm, nucleus, and SCF complex. Studies of related genes in other species connect the family to UV stress resistance, herbivore defense, and chlorogenic acid accumulation.