Carotenoids in Cyanobacteria

Joseph Hirschberg, Daniel Chamovitz

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

Abstract

Carotenoids in cyanobacteria have two main functions: they serve as light-harvesting pigments in photosynthesis, and they protect against photooxidative damage. Carotenoids are generally hydrophobic isoprenoid compounds that are synthesized in membranes. They mostly accumulate in protein complexes in the photosynthetic membrane, in the cell membrane and in the cell wall. In addition to the prevailing $-carotene and zeaxanthin, cyanobacteria contain unique ketocarotenoids such as echinenone and canthaxanthin. They do not synthesize $-rings and therefore contain $-, but not $- or $-, carotenes and their oxygenated forms. Glycosylated carotenoids are also very common in cyanobacteria.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationThe Molecular Biology of Cyanobacteria
EditorsDonald A. Bryant
Place of PublicationDordrecht
PublisherSpringer Netherlands
Pages559-579
Number of pages21
ISBN (Electronic)978-94-011-0227-8
ISBN (Print)978-0-7923-3273-2
DOIs
StatePublished - 1994
Externally publishedYes

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