PAL — Sorghum bicolor

Summary

SORBI_3004G220600 (SbPAL) on sorghum chromosome 4 encodes a phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (EC 4.3.1.24) with tyrosine ammonia-lyase and ammonia-lyase activities, and also possesses DNA-binding transcription factor activity. The enzyme is associated with phenylpropanoid and lignin biosynthesis, salicylic acid metabolism, and responses to UV-B, low humidity, and drought recovery. It is linked to guard cell fate commitment, negative regulation of cytokinin signalling, and IAA content. Associations include photosynthetic rate, pathogen resistance, salt stress tolerance, freezing tolerance, anthocyanin and flavonoid accumulation, and disease resistance responses. The protein localises to the cytosol, nucleus, and SCF complex. Studies of related genes in other species connect the family to resistance against fall armyworm, sheath blight, bacterial blight, root-knot nematode, and UV stress tolerance, as well as to lignin deposition and chlorogenic acid accumulation.