Phytoene biosynthesis: Possible mechanisms for the coupling of geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate
Document Type
Article
Date of Original Version
1-1-1972
Abstract
A cell-free enzyme system, prepared from Phycomyces blakesleeanus mutant albino 10, converted (14C)geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate into phytoene. Two mechanisms proposed for the coupling of two molecules of geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate to form phytoene were investigated, and it was also established that phytoene waas the first C40 polyene formed and not lycopersene (C40 analogue of squalene). Free geranyllinaloyl pyrophosphate was not detected when the cell-free enzyme system was incubated with (14C)geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate. A labelled enzyme-bound intermediate, isolated from the reaction mixture was converted to phytoene when incubated with the cell-free enzyme system. The two proposed coupling mechanisms are discussed in the light of these results. © 1972.
Publication Title, e.g., Journal
Phytochemistry
Volume
11
Issue
2
Citation/Publisher Attribution
Lee, Tung Ching, H. Lee, and C. O. Chichester. "Phytoene biosynthesis: Possible mechanisms for the coupling of geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate." Phytochemistry 11, 2 (1972): 681-687. doi: 10.1016/0031-9422(72)80032-3.