Phytoene synthase
Encyclopedia
Phytoene synthase is a transferase
enzyme involved in the biosynthesis of carotenoid
s. It catalyzes the conversion of geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate
to phytoene
.
Transferase
In biochemistry, a transferase is an enzyme that catalyzes the transfer of a functional group from one molecule to another . For example, an enzyme that catalyzed this reaction would be a transferase:In this example, A would be the donor, and B would be the acceptor...
enzyme involved in the biosynthesis of carotenoid
Carotenoid
Carotenoids are tetraterpenoid organic pigments that are naturally occurring in the chloroplasts and chromoplasts of plants and some other photosynthetic organisms like algae, some bacteria, and some types of fungus. Carotenoids can be synthesized fats and other basic organic metabolic building...
s. It catalyzes the conversion of geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate
Geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate
Geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate is an intermediate in the HMG-CoA reductase pathway used by organisms in the biosynthesis of terpenes and terpenoids. In plants it is also the precursor to carotenoids, gibberellins, tocopherols, and chlorophylls....
to phytoene
Phytoene
Phytoene is a 40-carbon intermediate in the biosynthesis of carotenoids. The synthesis of phytoene is the committed step in the synthesis of carotenoids in plants. Phytoene is produced from two molecules of geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate by the action of the enzyme phytoene synthase...
.