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Astaxanthin accumulation in Haematococcus requires a cytochrome P450 hydroxylase and an active synthesis of fatty acids
Author(s) -
Schoefs Benoı̂t,
Rmiki Nour-Eddine,
Rachadi Jaouad,
Lemoine Yves
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
febs letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.593
H-Index - 257
eISSN - 1873-3468
pISSN - 0014-5793
DOI - 10.1016/s0014-5793(01)02596-0
Subject(s) - astaxanthin , biochemistry , cerulenin , chemistry , enzyme , cytochrome p450 , cytochrome , carotenoid , fatty acid synthase
Astaxanthin accumulation by green microalgae is a natural phenomenon known as red snows and blood rains. The fact that astaxanthin synthesis requires oxygen, NADPH and Fe 2+ led Cunningham and Gantt [Annu. Rev. Plant Physiol. Plant Mol. Biol. 49 (1998) 557–583] to propose that a cytochrome P450‐dependent enzyme might be involved in the transformation of β‐carotene to astaxanthin. In Haematococcus only esterified astaxanthin molecules accumulate, but it is not determined whether a fatty acid synthesis should occur simultaneously to allow pigment accumulation. The aim of this contribution was to answer these two questions using specific inhibitors of β‐carotene (norflurazon) and fatty acid (cerulenin) synthesis, and of cytochrome P450 enzyme activity (ellipticine).