encodes an isoform of 4-coumarate:CoA ligase (4CL), which is involved in the last step of the general phenylpropanoid pathway. The catalytic efficiency was in the following (descending) order: p-coumaric acid, caffeic acid, ferulic acid, 5-OH-ferulic acid and cinnamic acid. At4CL2 was unable to use sinapic acid as substrate.