Phytoene

Cis- phytoene

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Phytoene is colorless tetraterpene 40 carbon atoms. It is an intermediate of the biological synthesis of carotenoids in plants.

Two molecules of geranylgeranyl diphosphate ( GGPP ) are at the beginning of carotene biosynthesis. The availability of GGPP limited all subsequent steps of the formation of carotene in the plant. The two GGPP molecules by the enzyme phytoene synthase ( PSY ) connected to one molecule phytoene. The phytoene synthase is an enzyme of the chloroplast.

The plant enzymes phytoene desaturase (PDS ), ζ - Karotindesaturase (ZDS ) and carotene cis -trans isomerase ( CrtISO ) form of phytoene the red all-trans- lycopene. all-trans -lycopene is converted into β -carotene through a β - lycopene cyclase ( β - LCY).