Reaction: neurosporene + AH2 + O2 = lycopene + A + 2 H2O
For reaction pathway click here.
Other name(s): ζ-carotene desaturase
Systematic name: carotene,hydrogen-donor:oxygen oxidoreductase
Comments: also acts on ζ-carotene twice to give lycopene and converts β-zeacarotene to γ-carotene, and pro-ζ-carotene to prolycopene (via double reaction)
Links to other databases: BRENDA, EXPASY, KEGG, CAS registry number: 115300-02-2
References:
1. Albrecht, M., Linden, H. and Sandmann, G. Biochemical characterization of purified ζ-carotene desaturase from Anabaena PCC 7120 after expression in E. coli. Eur. J. Biochem. 236 (1996) 115-120. [PMID: 8617254]