LCY — Daucus carota subsp. sativus

Summary

DCAR_020544 (LCY, LCYB1) on carrot chromosome 6 encodes a lycopene beta/e cyclase domain protein with lycopene beta-cyclase, capsanthin synthase, capsorubin synthase and neoxanthin synthase activities, along with oxidoreductase and intramolecular isomerase functions. The gene is associated with carotenoid, beta-carotene, xanthophyll, abscisic acid and ubiquinone biosynthesis, as well as photoprotection, leaf senescence, root development and RNA metabolism. It localises to plastid, chloroplast and chromoplast membranes. In carrot, LCYB1 is linked to carotenoid accumulation, pigment content and photosynthetic efficiency. The gene is also associated with plant height, biomass, flowering time, lycopene content, yield, leaf size, ethylene sensitivity, respiration rate and abiotic stress response. Studies of related genes in other species connect the family to beta-carotene, lutein, zeaxanthin and neoxanthin content, root and fruit colour, fruit development, antioxidant activity, salt tolerance and biomass production.