Photoregulation of carotenoid biosynthesis in plants

Abstract

Photoregulation of carotenoid synthesis is widespread in the plant kingdom. This paper concentrates on the results and problems concerning the mechanism of photoinduction. Photoinduction consists of initiating light-reactions and a subsequent de novo synthesis of carotenogenic enzymes. The acting photoreceptors so far known are phytochrome in higher plants and in bacteria and fungi very probably a flavin (or flavoprotein) or a porphyrin-like compound. The first steps of the biosynthetic pathway of carotenoids under photocontrol seem to be the synthesis of geranyl-geranyl-pyrophosphate and of phytoene. Results concerning the possible involvement of m-RNA in the mechanism of photoinduction are discussed. © 1976, Walter de Gruyter. All rights reserved.