Table 4.
Enzymes and related genes involved in the biosynthesis of Archaea-specific carotenoids. Numbers in parenthesis indicate the enzyme number or EC number.
| Carotenogenesis Pathway after Phytoene Formation | Gene | Enzyme |
|---|---|---|
| Bacterioruberin biosynthetic pathway | CrtD (1.3.99.37) CruF (4.2.1.161) LyeJ (2.5.1.1.50) |
3,4-desaturase 2”,3”-hydratase Bifunctional lycopene elongase and 1,2-hydratase |
| Lycopene biosynthetic pathway | CrtB (2.5.1.32) CrtE (2.5.1.29) CrtI (K10027) FDPS (2.5.1.10) |
15-cis-phytoene synthase Geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase Phytoene desaturase Farnesyl diphosphate synthase |
| Retinal biosynthetic pathway | Brp (1.13.11.63) CrtYcd (5.5.1.19) |
β-carotene dioxygenase Lycopene β-cyclase |
| Zeaxanthin biosynthetic pathway | CrtYcd (5.5.1.19) CrtZ (1.14.15.24) |
Lycopene β-cyclase β-carotene 3-hydroxylase |