Biosynthesis of phycobiliproteins. Incorporation of biliverdin into phycocyanin of the red alga Cyanidium caldarium.
14C-labelled biliverdin IX alpha was administered to cultures of Cyanidium caldarium that were actively synthesizing photosynthetic pigments in the light. Between 9 and 12% of the phycobiliprotein chromophore produced in such cultures was derived from exogenous biliverdin. These results demonstrate that biliverdin is an intermediate in the biosynthesis of phycobiliproteins.
D001663:Bilirubin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D001664:Biliverdine / Q000378:metabolism*; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D045342:Light-Harvesting Protein Complexes; D010798:Phycocyanin / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D010860:Pigments, Biological / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D000461:Rhodophyta / Q000378:metabolism*
D045342:Light-Harvesting Protein Complexes; D010860:Pigments, Biological; D010940:Plant Proteins; D010798:Phycocyanin; D001664:Biliverdine; D001663:Bilirubin