Structure and expression of two phenylalanine ammonia-lyase genes of the basidiomycete mushroom Tricholoma matsutake

We cloned cDNAs of TmPAL1 and TmPAL2, which encode phenylalanine ammonia-lyases (PALs), and their corresponding genomic DNAs from the basidiomycete mushroom Tricholoma matsutake NBRC 30605. TmPAL1 and TmPAL2 contain several active sites, including the phenylalanine and histidine ammonia-lyases signature pattern. TmPAL1 and TmPAL2 are interrupted by seven and 11 introns, respectively, seven of which are located at the same positions. Transcript levels of TmPAL1 tended to be high in the pileus, stipe, and base of mature fruiting bodies, while transcript levels of TmPAL2 were highest in the gills. Furthermore, PAL activity and methyl cinnamate content were highest in the gills.