CAD — Sorghum bicolor

Summary

SORBI_3010G072000 (SbCAD) encodes a cinnamyl-alcohol dehydrogenase with aryl-alcohol dehydrogenase, mannitol dehydrogenase and coniferyl-alcohol dehydrogenase activities, classified as EC 1.1.1.195. The protein belongs to the CAD-like family and possesses zinc-binding and NAD(P)-binding domains. In sorghum, SbCAD is associated with C4 photosynthesis, phenylpropanoid metabolism, green leaf volatile biosynthetic process, defense response, and response to water. It localizes to the apoplast, cytosol, cytoplasm and plasma membrane. The gene has been linked to lignin content, photosynthetic rate, reproductive period, IAA content, disease resistance, arsenic tolerance and translocation, basal thermotolerance, salicylic acid accumulation, C6-alcohol production, herbivore predator attraction, panicle and tiller traits, plant height, leaf area, flowering date, and ethanol yield. Studies of related genes in other species connect the CAD family to monolignol biosynthesis, lignin biosynthesis, plant defense, stem strength, biomass recalcitrance, flowering time, tillering and cell wall composition.