REVIEW: Biosynthesis of Carotenoids in Plastids of Plants

V. G. Ladygin

Institute of Basic Biological Problems, Russian Academy of Sciences, Pushchino, Moscow Region, 142290 Russia; E-mail: ladygin@issp.serpukhov.su

Received March 2, 2000; Revision received May 22, 2000

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This review deals with various aspects of the biosynthesis of carotenoids in chromoplasts and chloroplasts of green algae and higher plants. Two pathways of biosynthesis of the key C₅-isoprene units are considered: 1) from acetate via mevalonate (C₆) followed by its enzymatic conversions to isopentenyl diphosphate (C₅); 2) from glucose via formation of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate (C₃) and pyruvate and their condensation via intermediary products to isopentenyl diphosphate (C₅). Subsequent biosynthesis of carotenoids from isopentenyl diphosphate (C₅) and dimethylallyl diphosphate (C₅) involves a common route including their conversion into geranyl diphosphate (C₁₀), farnesyl diphosphate (C₁₅), geranylgeranyl diphosphate (C₂₀), and synthesis of phytoene (C₄₀). All stages of phytoene desaturation accompanied by formation of acyclic compounds such as zeta-carotene, neurosporene, and lycopene and their cyclization to alpha-, beta-, and epsilon-carotenes are considered in detail. Formation of xanthophylls in chloroplasts and chromoplasts involves sequential oxidations yielding hydroxy, epoxy, and oxo groups. Genetic control of biosynthesis of carotenoids is considered.

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KEY WORDS: carotenoids, biosynthesis, acetate, mevalonate, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate, pyruvate, isopentenyl diphosphate, dimethylallyl diphosphate, geranylgeranyl diphosphate, phytoene, carotenes, xanthophylls, chloroplasts, chromoplasts

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