Fungal and Plant Phenylalanine Ammonia-lyase

Abstract

L-Phenylalanine is one of the essential amino acids that cannot be synthesized in mammals in adequate amounts to meet the requirements for protein synthesis. Fungi and plants are able to synthesize phenylalanine via the shikimic acid pathway. L-Phenylalanine, derived from the shikimic acid pathway, is used directly for protein synthesis in plants or metabolized through the phenylpropanoid pathway. This phenylpropanoid metabolism leads to the biosynthesis of a wide array of phenylpropanoid secondary products. The first step in this metabolic sequence involves the action of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL). The discovery of PAL enzyme in fungi and the detection of 14CO2 production from 14C-ring-labeled phenylalanine and cinnamic acid demonstrated that certain fungi can degrade phenylalanine by a pathway involving an initial deamination to cinnamic acid, as happens in plants. In this review, we provide background information on PAL and a recent update on the presence of PAL genes in fungi.

Molecular Characterization of a Recombinant Zea mays Phenylalanine Ammonia-Lyase (ZmPAL2) and Its Application in trans-Cinnamic Acid Production from l-Phenylalanine

“…About 50 % of activity remained after incubation for 6 h at 60°C. Most plant PAL enzymes were considered to lose their activity as the temperature approached 60°C [27]. However, our results indicated that the ZmPAL2 was relatively stable at high temperatures.…”

Correlation of nitric oxide produced by an inducible nitric oxide synthase-like protein with enhanced expression of the phenylpropanoid pathway in Inonotus obliquus cocultured with Phellinus morii

“…Fungal phenylpropanoid metabolism produces a wide range of secondary metabolites (Hyun et al 2011) in response to biotic or abiotic stresses including UV irradiation and interspecific competition for space and nutrients (Korkina 2007). These metabolites encompass diverse structural classes and biological functions (Lattanzio et al 2006).…”

Differential Expression of Phenylalanine Ammonia-Lyase in Different Tissues of Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) during Development

“…The phenylpropanoid pathway serves as a rich source of metabolites in plants, is required for the biosynthesis of lignin, and serves as a starting point for the production of many other important compounds involved in growth and development (Hyun et al 2011).…”

“…Secondary metabolites produced from the phenylpropanoid pathway include the cell wall structural polymer, lignin, flavonoids, UV protectants, wound protectants, isoflavonoid and furano coumarin phytoalexin antibiotics (Ozeki et al 2000;Ludwikow and Sadowski 2008;Hyun et al 2011).…”