DNA sequences useful for the synthesis of carotenoids.

摘要

Disclosed are DNA sequences which are useful for the synthesis of carotenoids such as lycopene, beta -carotene, zeaxanthin or zeaxanthin-diglucoside, that is, DNA sequences encoding carotenoid biosynthesis enzymes. These DNA sequences are the sequences 1/ &cir& - 6/ &cir& , respectively, shown in the specification. Also disclosed is a process for producing a carotenoid compound which is selected from the group consisting of prephytoene pyrophosphate, phytoene, lycopene, beta -carotene, zeaxanthin and zeaxanthin-diglucoside, which comprises transforming a host with at least one of the DNA sequences 1/ &cir& - 6/ &cir& described above and culturing the transformant.