Methods of producing carotenoids by the expression of plant ε-cyclase genes
AssigneeUniversity of Maryland
InventorsFrancis X. Cunningham, Jr., Zairen Sun
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Abstract
Nucleic acid sequences encoding ∈-cyclase, isopentenyl pyrophosphate isomerase and β-carotene hydroxylase as well as vectors containing the same and hosts transformed with the vectors. Methods for controlling the ratio of various carotenoids in a host and for the production of novel carotenoid pigments. The present invention also provides a method for screening for eukaryotic genes encoding carotenoid biosynthesis, and for modifying the disclosed enzymes.
Claims10
A method of producing or altering the production of at least one carotenoid in a host cell, relative to an untransformed host cell, the method comprising:
- a) inserting into the host cell a vector comprising a heterologous plant nucleic acid sequence which encodes SEQ ID NO:2, wherein said heterologous plant nucleic acid sequence is operably linked to a promoter;
- and
- b) expressing the heterologous plant nucleic acid sequence to produce, enhance, reduce, or otherwise affect the production of carotenoids in the host cell.
A method of producing or altering the production of at least one carotenoid in a host cell, relative to an untransformed host cell, the method comprising:
- a) inserting into the host cell a vector comprising a heterologous plant nucleic acid sequence which encodes an amino acid sequence that is at least 85% identical to SEQ ID NO:23 or 26, wherein said heterologous plant nucleic acid sequence is operably linked to a promoter;
- and
- b) expressing the heterologous plant nucleic acid sequence to produce, enhance, reduce, or otherwise affect the production of carotenoids in the host cell,
- wherein said heterologous plant nucleic acid sequence encodes a protein having ∈-cyclase activity as depicted in FIG. 2.
A method of producing or altering the production of at least one carotenoid in a host cell, relative to an untransformed host cell, the method comprising:
- a) inserting into the host cell a vector comprising a heterologous plant nucleic acid sequence which encodes SEQ ID NO:25, wherein said heterologous plant nucleic acid sequence is operably linked to a promoter;
- and
- b) expressing the heterologous plant nucleic acid sequence to produce, enhance, reduce, or otherwise affect the production of carotenoids in the host cell.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.