Substrate specificity of purified recombinant human β-carotene 15,15′-oxygenase (BCO1)

Abstract

Background: The human enzyme β-carotene 15,15′-oxygenase (BCO1) produces vitamin A from carotenoids in food. Results: BCO1 catalyzes the oxidative cleavage of the 15-15′ double bond of major dietary provitamin A carotenoids, β-apocarotenals, and lycopene. Conclusion: BCO1 reacts only with carotenoids and apocarotenoids that yield retinal or acycloretinal. Significance: Elucidating the substrate specificity of BCO1 is crucial for understanding how humans metabolize carotenoids. © 2013 by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.