Genome-wide identification and characterization of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) gene in Vigna radiata L.

The synthesis of phenylpropanoids is considered one of the plants' most important assimilatory pathways. In higher plants, the amino acid phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL; EC 4.3.1.5) is a substrate of primary and secondary metabolic pathways. This study is novel since PAL genes have not been documented in Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek. This study aimed to identify and characterize in silico the PAL genes in V. radiata (L.) Wilczek. Systematic analyses were performed using some bioinformatics tools. In total, we identified four PAL genes (VrPAL1, 2, 3, and 4) in the genome of V. radiata (L.) Wilczek. The four VrPAL genes had amino acid (aa) sequences that ranged from 697 to 715 (aa). The molecular weights (kDa) range from 76.69 to 78.46 kDa, and their isoelectric points (pI) range from 5.52 to 6.37. These proteins are located in the cytoplasm. Chromosomal localization revealed that three VrPALs were distributed on chromosomes 6 and 8, and one did not have a defined chromosome. The gene structure revealed the conservation of exons and five conserved motifs. Three VrPAL genes presented segmental duplication, and one was in tandem. Phylogenetic evolutionary analysis based on protein sequences categorized all VrPALs into monocotyledons and dicotyledons. In summary, our study provides information on some characteristics of VrPAL genes that will facilitate their use in other studies of the crop.