COMT — Sorghum bicolor

Summary

SORBI_3007G058800 (SbCOMT) on sorghum chromosome 7 encodes a protein with domains including COMT_dimerisation, COMT_C, COMT-like, and SAM-dependent_MTases_sf, and has multiple methyltransferase activities, including caffeate O-methyltransferase, quercetin 3-O-methyltransferase, and tricetin O-methyltransferase. The gene is associated with serotonin and indole glucosinolate metabolism, melatonin and alkaloid biosynthesis, flavonol biosynthesis, pigmentation, and seed oilbody biogenesis. It has been linked to lignin content and composition, sugar content, reproductive period, IAA content, leaf vein morphology, and responses to water, freezing, and thermal stimuli. The encoded protein localizes to the cytosol, nucleus, plastid, plasmalemma, plasmodesmata, stress granules, and plant-type cell wall. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to sinapoyl ester biosynthesis and caffeic acid conversion, as well as to grain yield, vascular development, and cell wall traits.