Abstract:In order to understand the expression of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase gene from Lycium barbarum L., named as LbPAL, the cDNA of LbPAL was cloned using PCR and its expression was characterized. The results showed that the whole length of LbPAL cDNA was 2321 bp containing an open reading frame (ORF) of 2163 bp, encoding 720 amino acids. Amino acid sequence analysis indicated that LbPAL had high identity of sequence and similarly tertiary structure to PALs in other Solanaceae plants. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that LbPAL was clustered in the same clade with PALs in other Solanaceae plants. Real-time PCR analysis showed that LbPAL was highly expressed in leaves, petals and fruits at S1 stage, while few LbPAL transcripts were detected in roots and fruits at stages from S2 to S5. Under salt stress, LbPAL expression was downregulated in roots and stems, while sharply enhanced at 0.5 h and decreased hereafter in leaves. These results lay a foundation for elucidating the biosynthesis and physiological regulation of flavonoid in L. barbarum.