COMT — Sorghum bicolor

Summary

SORBI_3002G325000 (SbCOMT) on sorghum chromosome 2 encodes an O-methyltransferase dimerisation domain-containing protein with caffeate O-methyltransferase, naringenin 7-O-methyltransferase, and multiple flavonoid and coumarin O-methyltransferase activities. The gene is associated with serotonin and indole glucosinolate metabolism, regulation of anthocyanin metabolism, flavonol biosynthesis, melatonin anabolism, coumarin anabolism, and secondary metabolite biosynthesis. It has been linked to lignin content and composition, sugar content, reproductive period, IAA content, viral disease response, leaf vein morphology, cell growth, and responses to water, mannitol, UV, and freezing. The protein localises to the cytosol, nucleus, plastid, plasmalemma, plasmodesma, plant-type cell wall, and stress granules. Studies of related genes in other species connect the family to lignin biosynthesis, cell wall composition, biomass yield, drought sensitivity, grain filling, and resistance to Alternaria brassicicola.