PAL — Sorghum bicolor

Summary

SORBI_3004G220500 (SbPAL) on sorghum chromosome 4 encodes a phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (EC 4.3.1.24) with additional tyrosine ammonia-lyase and DNA-binding transcription factor activities, belonging to the aromatic lyase family. The gene is associated with phenylpropanoid, lignin, salicylic acid, and alkaloid metabolism, including cinnamic acid biosynthesis and L-phenylalanine breakdown. It is linked to drought recovery, UV-B response, low-humidity response, guard cell fate commitment, and negative regulation of cytokinin signalling. Associations include photosynthetic rate, IAA content, UV light sensitivity, and traits such as pathogen resistance, salt stress tolerance, freezing tolerance, anthocyanin and flavonoid accumulation, and disease resistance. The protein localises to the cytosol, nucleus, and SCF complex. Studies of related genes in other species connect the family to lignin deposition, chlorogenic acid accumulation, and resistance to fall armyworm, sheath blight, and root-knot nematode.