Expression profiling of the phenylalanine ammonia-lyase ( <i>PAL</i> ) gene family in <i>ginkgo biloba</i> L.

Abstract

The <i>PAL</i> gene family plays an important role in plant growth, development, and response to abiotic stresses and has been identified in a variety of plants. However, a systematic characterization is still lacking in <i>Ginkgo biloba</i>. Using a bioinformatics approach, 11 <i>GbPAL</i> members of the <i>PAL</i> gene family identified in ginkgo were identified in this study. The protein structure and physicochemical properties indicated that the <i>GbPAL</i> genes were highly similar. Based on their exon-intron structures, they can be classified into three groups. A total of 62 cis-elements for hormone, light, and abiotic stress responses were identified in the promoters of <i>GbPAL</i> genes, indicating that <i>PAL</i> is a multifunctional gene family. <i>GbPAL</i> genes were specifically expressed in different tissues and ploidy of ginkgo. These results provide a theoretical basis for further studies on the functional expression of the <i>GbPAL</i> genes.