LCYE — Zea mays

Summary

ZM00001EB357090 (ZmLCYE, also known as LUT2) on maize chromosome 8 encodes a lycopene epsilon cyclase with additional annotated lycopene beta-cyclase, neoxanthin synthase, capsorubin synthase, and capsanthin synthase activities, as well as oxidoreductase and intramolecular isomerase functions. The gene is associated with lutein, astaxanthin, beta-carotene, and vitamin A anabolism, the xanthophyll cycle, carotenoid metabolism and breakdown, pigmentation, abscisic acid and isoprenoid anabolism, and sucrose and ubiquinone biosynthesis. It has been linked to grain, endosperm, fruit, and root color, lutein, zeaxanthin, and carotenoid content, grain yield, photosynthetic rate, and tolerance to cold, drought, and aluminum. The protein localizes to plastids, chloroplast and chromoplast membranes, and mitochondria. Related genes in other species connect the family to photoprotection, nonphotochemical quenching, high light tolerance, and stress tolerance.