Compartmentalized expression of two structurally and functionally distinct 4-coumarate:CoA ligase genes in aspen (Populus tremuloides).

ABSTRACT: 4-Coumarate:CoA ligases (4CLs, EC 6.2.1.12) are a group of enzymes necessary for maintaining a continuous metabolic flux for the biosynthesis of plant phenylpropanoids, such as lignin and flavonoids, that are essential to the survival of plants. So far, various biochemical and molecular studies of plant 4CLs seem to suggest that 4CL isoforms in plants are functionally indistinguishable in mediating the biosynthesis of these phenolics. However, we have discovered two functionally and structurally distinct 4CL genes, Pt4CL1 and Pt4CL2 (63% protein sequence identity), that are differentially expressed in aspen (Populus tremuloides). The Escherichia coli-expressed and purified Pt4CL1 and Pt4CL2 proteins exhibited highly divergent substrate preference as well as specificity that reveal the asso

SUBMITTER: Hu WJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC20274 | biostudies-literature | 1998 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature