The different deletion mutation in the phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) gene affects the peel color of mango (Mangifera indica L.).

Phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) is the first key enzyme of the anthocyanidin synthesis pathway, has been extensively studied in the biosynthesis of various plant secondary metabolites. Its function is to catalyze L-phenylalanine to trans-cinnamic acid. In this study, the critical mutations of PAL gene was identified in mango fruits. The sequences of the PAL gene in these three varieties were partially the same, except for some base-pair change and an approximately 79-bp, and 81-bp deletion within the middle portion of the yellow color, and the green color. The amino acid sequences of the PAL showed different lengths, consisting of 691, 328, and 718 amino acids in 'Guiqi', 'Jinghuang', and 'Guifei'mango. The present study showed that in contrast with red mango fruits (Guifei), the less anthocyanin production in green mango fruits (Guiqi), and in yellow mango fruits (Jinghuang) during ripening was a result of reduced activity of the PAL enzyme at the translational level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]