title: Vertebrate and invertebrate carotenoid-binding proteins.
abstract: In invertebrates and vertebrates, carotenoids are ubiquitous colorants, antioxidants, and provitamin A compounds that must be absorbed from dietary sources and transported to target tissues where they are taken up and stabilized to perform their physiological functions. These processes occur in a specific and regulated manner mediated by high-affinity carotenoid-binding proteins. In this mini-review, we examine the published literature on carotenoid-binding proteins in vertebrate and invertebrate systems, and we report our initial purification and characterization of a novel lutein-binding protein isolated from liver of Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica).
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, 65 Medical Drive, Moran Eye Center, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA.
authors.forename: Prakash
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bhosale
authors.forename: Paul S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Bernstein
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D030161:Avian Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000378:metabolism*; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D003370:Coturnix; D006801:Humans; D007448:Invertebrates / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D008074:Lipoproteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D008099:Liver / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D012160:Retina / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D014714:Vertebrates / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D030161:Avian Proteins; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D008074:Lipoproteins; C018494:crustacyanins; D002338:Carotenoids