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The Enzymatic Cleavage of B-Carotene: End of a Controversy
Article first published online: 27 APR 2009
DOI: 10.1111/j.1753-4887.2001.tb06998.x
© 2001 International Life Sciences Institute
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How to Cite
(2001), The Enzymatic Cleavage of B-Carotene: End of a Controversy. Nutrition Reviews, 59: 116–118. doi: 10.1111/j.1753-4887.2001.tb06998.x
Publication History
- Issue published online: 27 APR 2009
- Article first published online: 27 APR 2009
- Abstract
- References
- Cited By
The central cleavage of dietary B-carotene to retinal was found to be the predominant mechanism whereby retinoids were formed in vivo in rats; apocarotenals, indicative of eccentric cleavage of B-carotene, were only a minor component (<5% of retinoids). A gene from maize that codes for a plant carotenoid cleavage enzyme was used to isolate a homologous gene from Drosophila. This gene, when transfected into an E Coli strain capable of synthesizing and accumulating B-carotene, caused the central cleavage of B-carotene, forming exclusively retinoids. The enzyme that the gene codes for, B-carotene-15,15'-dioxygenase, was purified and characterized.