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bioRxiv · 10.64898/2026.05.13.724993

Identification of Reductases Catalyzing Benzyl Alcohol Formation during Salicylic Acid Biosynthesis in Plants

Xu, L.·Wu, M.·Qiu, D.·Li, J.·Li, C.·Liu, Y.·Li, X.·Zhang, Y.
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Abstract

Salicylic acid (SA), a central hormone in plant immunity, is biosynthesized via a recently elucidated phenylalanine-derived pathway in most seed plants. This pathway requires benzyl alcohol as a key substrate for the formation of the SA precursor benzyl benzoate. However, how benzyl alcohol is produced in plants was unclear. Here, we identify a two-step conversion of benzoyl-CoA to benzyl alcohol via benzaldehyde in Nicotiana (N.) benthamiana. From a forward genetic screen for SA-deficient mutants, the and {beta} subunits of heterodimeric benzaldehyde synthase (BalS) involved in the conversion of benzoyl-CoA to benzaldehyde were found to be required for SA biosynthesis in N. benthamiana. Further reverse genetic analysis revealed that the NADPH-dependent benzaldehyde reductase (BalR1) acts downstream of BalS to convert benzaldehyde to benzyl alcohol. Interestingly, OsBalR1, but not OsBalS or OsBalS{beta}, is required for maintaining high basal SA levels in rice, suggesting the presence of redundant benzoyl-CoA-reducing activities or alternative biosynthesis routes for benzyl alcohol production. Together, this work defines the missing enzymatic steps in phenylalanine-derived SA pathway and provides insights into the evolutionary diversification of SA production strategies in plants.

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Xu, L., Wu, M., Qiu, D., Li, J., Li, C., Liu, Y., Li, X., Zhang, Y.. 2026-05-16. Identification of Reductases Catalyzing Benzyl Alcohol Formation during Salicylic Acid Biosynthesis in Plants. https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.05.13.724993

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