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Published on: August 14, 2019
Carotenoid biosynthesis in flowering plants
1Department of Genetics, The Alexander Silberman Life Science Institute, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 91904, Jerusalem, Israel. Joseph.Hirschberg@huji.ac.il
Current Opinion in Plant Biology
|April 20, 2001
Summary
Carotenoid biosynthesis pathways are well-understood, with plant molecular details emerging in the 1990s. Current research enables genetic manipulation of carotenoid production in crops.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Plant Molecular Biology
- Metabolic Engineering
Background:
- The overall carotenoid biosynthesis pathway has been established for over 30 years.
- Molecular insights into plant carotenogenesis intensified in the 1990s following gene cloning for key enzymes.
- Carotenoids are vital plant pigments with roles in photosynthesis and human health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current understanding of carotenoid biosynthesis in plants.
- To highlight recent advancements in the biochemistry and regulation of carotenogenesis.
- To explore the potential for genetic manipulation of carotenoid pathways in crop species.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of established and recent research on carotenoid biosynthesis.
- Analysis of molecular data concerning carotenogenic genes and enzymes in plants.
- Synthesis of biochemical and regulatory information relevant to in vivo studies.
Main Results:
- The fundamental carotenoid pathway is conserved, but plant-specific molecular details have been elucidated.
- Recent biochemical data provide a deeper understanding of pathway regulation within the plant cell.
- The cloning of carotenogenic enzyme genes has paved the way for targeted genetic studies.
Conclusions:
- Genetic manipulation of carotenoid biosynthesis in crops is now feasible.
- Enhanced carotenoid content in crops could improve nutritional value and agricultural applications.
- Continued research into pathway regulation will optimize genetic engineering strategies.
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