Molecular cloning and biochemical characterization of indole-3-acetic acid methyltransferase from Japanese star anise (Illicium anisatum)

SABATH proteins methylate the carboxyl groups or nitrogen atoms of small plant molecules and play important roles in many developmental processes and plant defense responses. Previous studies have shown that indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) carboxyl methyltransferase (IAMT), a member of the SABATH methyltransferase family, converts IAA into its methyl ester (Me-IAA). We used RNA-seq analysis to identify a putative