Analysis of the gene for phenylalanine ammonia-lyase fromRhodosporidium toruloides

We have cloned and sequenced the pal gene encoding phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) from Rhodosporidium toruloides strain CBS14. Our data imply a different start codon and thus a different amino acid sequence for the N-terminus of PAL as compared to the previously published sequence for pal from R. toruloides strain IF00559. Primer extension analysis shows three transcription initiation sites with non-translated leaders of 24-35 nucleotides. Upstream of these initiation sites is a long stretch rich in pyrimidines. PAL from R. toruloides is 78% and 37% homologous to PAL from Rhodotorula rubra and Petroselinum crispum, respectively. Alignment of the PAL sequences is related to data of enzyme function.