Biosynthesis of Carotenoids in Plants: Enzymes and Color

Abstract

Carotenoids are the most important biocolor isoprenoids responsible for yellow, orange and red colors found in nature. In plants, they are synthesized in plastids of photosynthetic and sink organs and are essential molecules for photosynthesis, photo-oxidative damage protection and phytohormone synthesis. Carotenoids also play important roles in human health and nutrition acting as vitamin A precursors and antioxidants. Biochemical and biophysical approaches in different plants models have provided significant advances in understanding the structural and functional roles of carotenoids in plants as well as the key points of regulation in their biosynthesis. To date, different plant models have been used to characterize the key genes and their regulation, which has increased the knowledge of the carotenoid metabolic pathway in plants. In this chapter a description of each step in the carotenoid synthesis pathway is presented and discussed.

Boosting carotenoid content inMalus domesticavar. Fuji by expressingAtDXRthrough anAgrobacterium‐mediated transformation method

“…However, commercial apple varieties accumulate very low levels of carotenoid pigments, reflected by a pale flesh, with concentrations of 3–10 µg g −1 FW in the skin and 0.8‐9 µg g −1 FW in the flesh (Ampomah‐Dwamena et al, 2012; Delgado‐Pelayo, Gallardo‐Guerrero, & Hornero‐Méndez, 2014; Lado, Zacarías, & Rodrigo, 2016). Carotenoids are isoprenoid pigments that play crucial roles in plants such as photosynthesis and photooxidative protection and are also responsible for the coloration of different plant tissues in the range of light yellow to deep red colors (Rosas‐Saavedra & Stange, 2016). Mammals must include carotenoids in their diet because these pigments are precursors for vitamin A synthesis.…”

Co-expression clustering across flower development identifies modules for diverse floral forms inAchimenes(Gesneriaceae)

“…Floral and fruit carotenoids can also be used to produce volatile apocarotenoids, which may further enhance plant-animal interactions during pollination and seed dispersal (Dudareva et al, 2006). They may also serve as precursors to the production of the hormone abscisic acid and strigalactones that are involved in many plant developmental processes (Rosas-Saavedra & Stange, 2016). We identified four homologs of carotenoid biosynthetic pathway enzymes as network hubs: geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate synthase (GGPPS; cluster10945_2rr.inclade1.ortho1.…”

Peer Review #1 of "Co-expression clustering across flower development identifies modules for diverse floral forms in Achimenes (Gesneriaceae) (v0.1)"

“…Floral and fruit carotenoids can also be used to produce volatile apocarotenoids, which may further enhance plant-animal interactions during pollination and seed dispersal (Dudareva et al 2006). They may also serve as precursors to the production of the hormone abscisic acid and strigalactones that are involved in many plant developmental processes (Rosas-Saavedra et al 2016). We identified 4 homologs of carotenoid biosynthetic pathway enzymes as network hubs: geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate synthase (GGPPS; cluster10945_2rr.inclade1.ortho1.tre; module ME35), phytoene dehydrogenase (PDS; cluster13048_1rr.inclade1.ortho1.tre; module ME4), lycopene beta cyclase (LCYB; cluster13774_1rr.inclade1.ortho1.tre; module ME7), and capsanthin-capsorubin synthase (CCS; cluster13583_1rr.inclade1.ortho2.tre; module ME6).…”