[Advances in phytoene dehydrogenase - A review]

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Molecular Biology
• Metabolic Engineering

Background:

• Carotenoids are vital nutritional compounds with over 700 identified variants.
• Phytoene dehydrogenase is a key regulatory enzyme in carotenoid biosynthesis, converting phytoene to pigmented carotenoids.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the isolation, characterization, and functional diversity of phytoene dehydrogenases.
• To explore transcription regulatory mechanisms and phylogenetic relationships of these enzymes.
• To provide insights for optimizing carotenoid production via genetic engineering.

Main Methods:

• Literature review and synthesis of existing research on phytoene dehydrogenases.
• Comparative analysis of enzyme functions across different organisms (Cyanobacteria, algae, plants, bacteria, fungi).
• Examination of transcriptional regulation and phylogenetic data.

Main Results:

• Phytoene dehydrogenase functions vary significantly across different species.
• Specific enzyme sets (e.g., CrtP, CrtQ, CrtH in Cyanobacteria; PDS, ZDS, CrtISO in plants/algae; CrtI in bacteria/fungi) are responsible for carotenoid synthesis.
• Diverse regulatory mechanisms control enzyme activity.

Conclusions:

• Phytoene dehydrogenases exhibit functional diversity crucial for carotenoid production.
• Understanding these enzymes and their regulation is key for carotenoid metabolic engineering.
• This review facilitates strategies for enhancing carotenoid yields in various organisms.