title: Carotenoid content and expression of phytoene synthase and phytoene desaturase genes in bitter melon (Momordica charantia).
abstract: Momordica charantia, a tropical plant, produces a fruit that has a β-carotene concentration five times higher than that of carrot. To elucidate the molecular basis of β-carotene accumulation in M. charantia, the gene expression levels of phytoene synthase (McPSY) and phytoene desaturase (McPDS) were determined. These levels were particularly high in the flowers of M. charantia. During fruit maturation, the expression levels of McPSY and McPDS decreased during the mid-stages but increased in the fully mature fruit. In addition, carotenoids accumulated as the peel changed from green to orange. Thus, McPSY and McPDS expression correlated with carotenoid accumulation during fruit maturation. Principal component analysis (PCA) also was used to evaluate the differences among the profiles of seven carotenoids identified in the fruit at several maturation stages. Riper fruits had higher carotenoid concentrations than less ripe fruits.
authors.affiliation: Department of Crop Science, Chungnam National University, 220 Gung-Dong, Yuseong-Gu, Daejeon 305-764, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Pham Anh
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Tuan
authors.affiliation: National Academy of Agricultural Science, Rural Development Administration, Suwon 441-707, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jae Kwang
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Crop Science, Chungnam National University, 220 Gung-Dong, Yuseong-Gu, Daejeon 305-764, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Nam Il
authors.initials: NI
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Medical Device Clinical Center, Chosun University, 375 Seosuk-Dong, Dong-Gu, Gwangju 501-759, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: koreanseedbank@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Sook Young
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Crop Science, Chungnam National University, 220 Gung-Dong, Yuseong-Gu, Daejeon 305-764, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: supark@cnu.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Sang Un
authors.initials: SU
authors.lastname: Park
keywords: Carotenoid accumulation; Gene expression; Momordica charantia; Phytoene desaturase; Phytoene synthase