2023/05/10 by Vanessa L. Göttl, Boas Pucker, Volker F. Wendisch +1 · 2 voices · 1 citation
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Energy · #Photosynthetic Processes and Mechanisms #Plant biochemistry and biosynthesis #Algal biology and biofuel production
paper · doi:10.1021/acs.jafc.3c01492
openalex publication_date 2023/05/10 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/06/15
Lycopene β-cyclase (EC 5.5.1.19) is one of the key enzymes in the biosynthesis of β-carotene and derived carotenoids. It catalyzes isomerase reactions to form β-carotene from lycopene by β-cyclization of both of its ψ-ends. Lycopene β-cyclases are widespread in nature. We systematically analyzed the phylogeny of lycopene β-cyclases from all kingdoms of life and predicted their transmembrane structures. To this end, a collection of previously characterized lycopene β-cyclase polypeptide sequences served as bait sequences to identify their closest homologues in a range of bacteria, archaea, fungi, algae, and plant species. Furthermore, a DeepTMHMM scan was applied to search for the presence of transmembrane domains. A phylogenetic tree suggests at least five distinct clades, and the DeepTMHMM scan revealed that lycopene β-cyclases are a group of structurally different proteins: membrane-bound and cytosolic enzymes. Representative lycopene β-cyclases were screened in the lycopene-overproducing Corynebacterium glutamicum strain for β-carotene and astaxanthin production. This systematic screening facilitates the identification of new enzymes for carotenoid production. Higher astaxanthin production and less reduction of total carotenoids were achieved with the cytosolic lycopene β-cyclase CrtL from Synechococcus elongatus and the membrane-bound heterodimeric lycopene β-cyclase CrtYcd from Brevibacterium linens .