Phytoene synthase (Psy) and Phytoene desaturase (Pds) are the first two regulatory enzymes in the carotenoids biosynthetic pathway. The genes Psy and Pds are under transcriptional control in many photosynthetic organisms. In the present study, using quantitative real time- PCR (qRT-PCR), the effects of uncoated and gum-Arabic coated PbS nanoparticles (GA-coated PbS NPs) and light intensity on t...

The green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii provides a tractable genetic model to study herbicide mode of action using forward genetics. The herbicide norflurazon inhibits phytoene desaturase, which is required for carotenoid synthesis. Locating amino acid substitutions in mutant phytoene desaturases conferring norflurazon resistance provides a genetic approach to map the herbicide binding site. W...

Carotenoids are membrane pigments present in all photosynthetic organisms, providing essential photoprotective functions. The first carotenoid formed in the pathway is phytoene, a colorless compound which is then converted into colored carotenoids by a series of dehydrogenation reactions. In the photosynthetic bacterium Rhodopseudomonas capsulata mutations that affect carotenoid biosynthesis be...

Astaxanthin is a high-value carotenoid which is used as a pigmentation source in fish aquaculture. Additionally, a beneficial role of astaxanthin as a food supplement for humans has been suggested. The unicellular alga Haematococcus pluvialis is a suitable biological source for astaxanthin production. In the context of the strong biotechnological relevance of H. pluvialis, we developed a geneti...

Carotenoids are Cd0 tetraterpenoids synthesized by nuclear-encoded multienzyme complexes located in the plastids of higher plants. To understand further the components and mechanisms involved in carotenoid synthesis, we screened Arabidopsis for mutations that disrupt this pathway and cause accumulation of biosynthetic intermediates. Here, we report the identification and characterizatíon of two...

Carotenoids are Cd0 tetraterpenoids synthesized by nuclear-encoded multienzyme complexes located in the plastids of higher plants. To understand further the components and mechanisms involved in carotenoid synthesis, we screened Arabidopsis for mutations that disrupt this pathway and cause accumulation of biosynthetic intermediates. Here, we report the identification and characterizatíon of two...

Cell extracts o f the Cl 15 (^-carotene-accumulating) strain o f Phycomyces blakesleeanus were incubated with either [2-l4C]MVA or [1-I4C]IPP and a range o f possible inhibitors of carotenogenesis, including bleaching herbicides, biphenyl com pounds and geranylacetone. Several o f these compounds were potent inhibitors o f /7-carotene formation and caused the accumulation o f phytoene. No other...

Carotenoids are constituents of the photosynthetic apparatus and essential for plant survival because of their involvement in protection of chlorophylls against photooxidation. Certain classes of herbicides are interfering with carotenoid biosynthesis leading to pigment destruction and a bleached plant phenotype. One important target site for bleaching herbicides is the enzyme phytoene desatura...

The target sites o f three herbicides which inhibit carotenoid biosynthesis have been charac­ terized using H PLC analysis o f pigm ent extracts from two higher plant systems, carro t cell suspension cultures and barley seedlings. Diflufenican causes an accum ulation o f phytoene and phytofluene. D ichlorm ate causes accum ulation o f phytoene, phytofluene, ^-carotene, neurosporene and ß-zeacar...

This report gives an insight into the specific changes in the transcription of four key carotenogenic genes [encoding geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase (crtE), phytoene desaturase (crtI), phytoene synthase lycopene cyclase (crtYB), and astaxanthin synthase (ast), respectively] in Xanthophyllomyces dendrorhous cultures, with regard to dissolved oxygen (DO) contents of 10%, 25%, and 40% air sat...