Molecular characterization of 4-Coumarate: CoA Ligase gene family in orchids: an in silico study.

The 4-Coumarate: CoA Ligase (4CL) is a crucial enzyme in the phenylpropanoid pathway, which leads to the biosynthesis of a diverse array of secondary metabolites. The present research identified 29 4CL genes encoding this enzyme in eight orchid species (Apostasia shenzhenica, Dendrobium catenatum, Phalaenopsis aphrodite, Phalaenopsis bellina, Phalaenopsis equestris, Phalaenopsis modesta, Phalaenopsis lueddemanniana and Phalaenopsis schilleriana). Domain and motif analyses revealed the relatively conserved nature of the identified proteins, and all were localized to the peroxisome. Phylogenetic analysis showed that they clustered into three different groups. A total of 54 types of cis-acting regulatory elements across four categories were found in the promoters of these genes, indicating their functional diversity. Varied expression profiles were observed for the genes in vegetative and reproductive tissues of the orchids under study, with 11 genes showing high expression in the root, underscoring their role in plant growth and development. To conclude, this research lays the groundwork for future studies involving the functional characterization of 4CL genes and their correlation with the related phenylpropanoid synthesis.