Vitis vinifera carotenoid cleavage dioxygenase (VvCCD1): gene expression during grape berry development and cleavage of carotenoids by recombinant protein

Abstract

A Carotenoid Cleavage Dioxygenase (CCD) gene from Vitis vinifera was isolated and expressed in Escherichia coli. Recombinant VvCCD1 cleaved zeaxanthin symmetrically leading to the formation of 3-hydroxy-β-ionone, a C13-norisoprenoidic compound, and a C14-dialdehyde. Analysis of the gene expression during grape berries development revealed a significant induction of the gene before the onset of ripening, together with an increase in the level of C13-norisoprenoids throughout the maturity. © 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.