The phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) gene family in tea plants (Camellia sinensis L.) encodes the enzyme that catalyzes the first reaction of the phenylpropane metabolic pathway. The present study aimed to characterize the PAL genes in tea plants, and get better insights on the CsPALs in anthocyanins accumulation. Seven CsPAL genes were identified and characterized in tea plants by bioinformatics analysis. Systematic analysis of CsPALs was conducted for its phylogenetic relationship, gene structure, chromosomal location, and protein conserved motifs based on tea plant genome. The cis-elements of CsPALs were responsive to light, abiotic stress, hormone, and MYB-binding site. Furthermore, tissue-specific expression analysis showed that CsPAL4 was expressed preferentially in young leaves and buds. Correlation analysis was performed in purple-leaf tea with anthocyanin components, and it was suggested that CsPAL4 was closely related with different anthocyanin accumulated, especially with cyanidin 3-O-galactoside, cyanidin 3-O-glucoside, and delphinidin 3-O-glucoside. Additionally, the putative upstream regulation factors CsMYBs (CsMYB59, CsARR1, CsSRM1, CsMYB101, and CsMYB52) and CsbHLHs (CsbHLH104, CsbHLH3, CsbIM1, CsTCP14, and CsPIF4) could bind to the promoter of CsPALs, thereby activating its transcription. This study provides a theoretical basis for further research to elucidate the functions of the CsPAL genes.

茶树 ( Camellia sinensis L.) 中的苯丙氨酸解氨酶 (PAL) 基因家族编码催化苯丙烷代谢途径第一反应的酶。本研究旨在表征茶树中的PAL基因，并更好地了解花青素积累中的CsPAL。通过生物信息学分析，在茶树中鉴定并表征了七个CsPAL基因。基于茶树基因组对CsPALs的系统发育关系、基因结构、染色体位置和蛋白质保守基序进行了系统分析。该顺的-elements CsPALs对光、非生物胁迫、激素和 MYB 结合位点有反应。此外，组织特异性表达分析表明CsPAL4优先在幼叶和芽中表达。对紫叶茶中花青素成分的相关性分析表明，CsPAL4与不同花青素的积累密切相关，尤其是花青素3- O-半乳糖苷、花青素3- O-葡萄糖苷和飞燕草素3- O-葡萄糖苷. 此外，假定的上游调节因子 CsMYBs（CsMYB59、CsARR1、CsSRM1、CsMYB101和CsMYB52）和 CsbHLHs（CsbHLH104、CsbHLH3、CsbIM1、CsTCP14和CsPIF4）可以结合的启动子CsPALs，从而激活其转录。本研究为进一步研究阐明CsPAL基因的功能提供了理论基础。