Beta-carotene 15,15'-monooxygenase
- OMIM: 605 748
- UniProt: Q9HAY6
Beta -carotene 15, 15' - monooxygenase ( BCO ), the enzyme β -carotene is divided into two molecules of retinal and vitamin A such as activated. This process takes place in humans, especially in the intestine, but also in epithelial cells of the retina, liver and kidneys. Rare mutations in the human BCMO gene can cause hereditary Hypercarotinämie with vitamin A deficiency.
BCO belongs to the carotenoid oxygenases and has evolved with the multicellular animals. Homologous proteins are present in a few species of bacteria.