Carotenoid crystal formation in Arabidopsis and carrot roots caused by increased phytoene synthase protein levels.

ABSTRACT:

Background

As the first pathway-specific enzyme in carotenoid biosynthesis, phytoene synthase (PSY) is a prime regulatory target. This includes a number of biotechnological approaches that have successfully increased the carotenoid content in agronomically relevant non-green plant tissues through tissue-specific PSY overexpression. We investigated the differential effects of constitutive AtPSY overexpression in green and non-green cells of transgenic Arabidopsis lines. This revealed striking similarities to the situation found in orange carrot roots with respect to carotenoid amounts and sequestration mechanism.

Methodology/principal findings

In Arabidopsis seedlings, carotenoid content remained unaffected by increased AtPSY levels although the protein was almost quantitativ

SUBMITTER: Maass D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2712097 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature