Alternative pathways of spirilloxanthin biosynthesis in Rhodospirillum rubrum.
Detailed studies of the properties of carotenoids isolated from diphenylamine-inhibited cultures of Rhodospirillum rubrum have revealed a number of novel structures that indicate new features of carotenoid biosynthesis in the photosynthetic bacteria. Both neurosporene and 7,8,11,12-tetrahydrolycopene undergo hydration, methylation and dehydrogenation to yield spheroidene and 11',12'-dihydrospheroidene respectively; all the intermediates in these pathways have been identified. These pathways represent alternative routes of anhydrorhodovibrin and spirilloxanthin biosynthesis.
D002338:Carotenoids / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism; D008745:Methylation; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D010649:Phenylalanine / Q000494:pharmacology; D010788:Photosynthesis; D012246:Rhodospirillum / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*
D002338:Carotenoids; D010649:Phenylalanine