Cloning and Characterization of theζ-Carotene Desaturase Gene fromChlorella protothecoidesCS-41

[摘要] To elucidate the lutein biosynthesis pathway in the lutein-producing alga,Chlorella protothecoidesCS-41, theζ-carotene desaturase gene (zds) was isolated fromChlorella protothecoidesusing the approach of rapid amplification of cDNA ends. The full-length cDNA sequence was 2031 bp and contained 1755 bp putative open reading frame which encodes a 584 amino acid deduced polypeptide whose computed molecular weight was 63.7 kDa. Sequence homology research indicated that the nucleotide and putative protein had sequence identities of 72.5% and 69.5% with those of the green algaChlamydomonas reinhardtii, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that the ZDS fromC. protothecoidesCS-41 had a closer relationship with those of chlorophyta and higher plants than with those of other species. In addition, we also found that thezdsgene expression was upregulated in response to light.

[学科分类] 基础医学