Phytoene desaturase (lycopene-forming)

Bacterial phytoene desaturases were shown to require FAD as a cofactor for their function. During the chemical reaction in total four additional double bonds are introduced into phytoene: : 15-cis-phytoene + 4 acceptor \rightleftharpoons all-trans-lycopene + 4 reduced acceptor (overall reaction) : (1a) 15-cis-phytoene + acceptor \rightleftharpoons all-trans-phytofluene + reduced acceptor : (1b) all-trans-phytofluene + acceptor \rightleftharpoons all-trans-zeta-carotene + reduced acceptor : (1c) all-trans-zeta-carotene + acceptor \rightleftharpoons all-trans-neurosporene + reduced acceptor: : (1d) all-trans-neurosporene + acceptor \rightleftharpoons all-trans-lycopene + reduced acceptor ==Applications==

In 2000 it was discovered that the gene insertion of a bacterial phytoene desaturase into transgenic tomatoes increased the lycopene content without the need to alter several of the plants enzymes. This approach was later used in rice to increase its β-carotene content resulting in the Golden Rice project. == See also ==