Reaction: 4,4'-diapolycopene + 4 reduced acceptor + 4 O2 = 4,4'-diapolycopenedial + 4 acceptor + 6 H2O
For diagram of reaction click here.
Other name(s): crtP (ambiguous)
Systematic name: 4,4'-diapolycopene,AH2:oxygen oxidoreductase (4,4'-hydroxylating)
Comments: Little activity with neurosporene or lycopene. Involved in the biosynthesis of C30 carotenoids such as staphyloxanthin. The enzyme oxidizes each methyl group to the hydroxymethyl and then a dihydroxymethyl group, followed by the spontaneous loss of water to give an aldehyde group.
Links to other databases: BRENDA, EXPASY, KEGG, Metacyc, CAS registry number:
References:
1. Mijts, B.N., Lee, P.C. and Schmidt-Dannert, C. Identification of a carotenoid oxygenase synthesizing acyclic xanthophylls: combinatorial biosynthesis and directed evolution. Chem. Biol. 12 (2005) 453-460. [PMID: 15850982]
2. Tao, L., Schenzle, A., Odom, J.M. and Cheng, Q. Novel carotenoid oxidase involved in biosynthesis of 4,4'-diapolycopene dialdehyde. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 71 (2005) 3294-3301. [PMID: 15933032]