Perturbations in the Carotenoid Biosynthesis Pathway in Tomato Fruit Reactivate the Leaf-Specific Phytoene Synthase 2.

ABSTRACT: The accumulation of the red carotenoid pigment lycopene in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) fruit is achieved by increased carotenoid synthesis during ripening. The first committed step that determines the flux in the carotenoid pathway is the synthesis of phytoene catalyzed by phytoene synthase (PSY). Tomato has three PSY genes that are differentially expressed. PSY1 is exclusively expressed in fruits, while PSY2 mostly functions in green tissues. It has been established that PSY1 is mostly responsible for phytoene synthesis in fruits. Although PSY2 is found in the chromoplasts, it is inactive because loss-of-function mutations in PSY1 in the locus yellow flesh (r) eliminate carotenoid biosynthesis in the fruit. Here we demonstrate that specif

SUBMITTER: Karniel U 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8914173 | biostudies-literature | 2022

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature