CAD — Sorghum bicolor

Summary

SORBI_3010G071900 (SbCAD) encodes a cinnamyl-alcohol dehydrogenase with aryl-alcohol dehydrogenase, mannitol dehydrogenase and coniferyl-alcohol dehydrogenase activities, belonging to the CAD-like protein family. In sorghum, this gene is associated with C4 photosynthesis, phenylpropanoid metabolism, green leaf volatile biosynthetic process, lignin anabolism, defense response, response to water, response to bacteria, and signal transduction. The encoded protein localizes to the apoplast, cytosol, cytoplasm and plasma membrane. SbCAD is associated with lignin content, photosynthetic rate, reproductive period, IAA content, and tolerance to volatile carbonyl toxicity. Associations also include disease resistance, arsenic translocation and tolerance, bacterial resistance, salicylic acid accumulation, basal thermotolerance, C6-alcohol production, herbivore predator attraction, and traits such as panicle, tiller, height, leaf area, flowering date, crown root, and ethanol yield. Studies of related genes in other species connect the CAD family to lignin composition, plant defense, stem strength, biomass recalcitrance, flowering time, tillering, and strigolactone-related branching.