PAL — Sorghum bicolor

Summary

SORBI_3004G220700 (SbPAL) on sorghum chromosome 4 encodes a phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (EC 4.3.1.24) with tyrosine ammonia-lyase and ammonia-lyase activities, along with DNA-binding transcription factor activity. The enzyme belongs to the aromatic lyase and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase domain families. SbPAL is associated with phenylpropanoid, lignin, salicylic acid, and suberin biosynthesis, as well as L-phenylalanine and lignin breakdown. It has been linked to drought recovery, low-humidity response, guard cell fate commitment, and negative regulation of cytokinin signalling. Associations include photosynthetic rate, IAA content, UV light sensitivity, and pathogen, disease, and salt stress responses. The gene localises to the cytosol, cytoplasm, nucleus, and SCF complex. Studies of related genes in other species connect the family to bacterial blight and sheath blight resistance, lignin deposition, and UV stress tolerance.