The methylerythritol phosphate pathway contributes to carotenoid but not phytol biosynthesis in Euglena gracilis.
The biosynthesis of diadinoxanthin and beta-carotene in Euglena gracilis was examined using [1-13C]-D-glucose and [5,5-2H2]-1-deoxy-D-xylulose. In contrast to previous studies on isoprenoid biosynthesis in E. gracilis, the results demonstrate a role for the methylerythritol phosphate (MEP) pathway, along with the mevalonate pathway, in carotenoid biosynthesis. Interestingly, the MEP pathway is not involved in the biosynthesis of phytol, a result not previously observed for other chloroplast-containing organisms.
Kim
Dojung
D
College of Pharmacy, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331-3507, USA.
Filtz
Michael R
MR
Proteau
Philip J
PJ
D000818:Animals; D002247:Carbon Isotopes; D002736:Chloroplasts / Q000378:metabolism; D004896:Erythritol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000378:metabolism*; D005056:Euglena gracilis / Q000378:metabolism*; D005947:Glucose / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000378:metabolism; D010836:Phytol / Q000378:metabolism*; D013403:Sugar Phosphates / Q000378:metabolism*; D024341:Xanthophylls / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D014996:Xylulose / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000378:metabolism; D019207:beta Carotene / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000096:biosynthesis*
D002247:Carbon Isotopes; D013403:Sugar Phosphates; D024341:Xanthophylls; D019207:beta Carotene; D010836:Phytol; C033808:diadinoxanthin; D014996:Xylulose; D005947:Glucose; D004896:Erythritol