Vol.28 No.3（2006 June）：442-446

Progress in Gene Cloning and Genetic Manipulation of Carotenoid Biosynthesis
Yang-Xia Zheng ^1,2,3 , Wan-Shen Yang¹, Jing Ji^3*, Gang Wang³
(¹College of Biology and Science, ²Forestry and Horticulture College, Sichuan Agricultural University, Yaan 625014, China;³College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China)

Abstract Carotenoids have drawn much attention recently. Because carotenoids have a range of diverse biological functions and actions, especially in relation to human health. For example, some of carotenoids are the precursor of provitamin A and have been associated with reducing the risk of cancer. This article reviewed the studies of carotenoid biosynthesis, correlative gene cloning and genetic manipulation with improving carotenoid production in microorganisms and crop plants.

Key words carotenoid; biosynthesis; gene; genetic manipulation

Received: November 3, 2005 Accepted: February 16, 2006

This work was supported by the National Specific Foundation Project "Plant Gene Transformation and Pilot Scheme"(No.J99-B-001)

^*Corresponding author. Tel: 86-22-87402200, E-mail: jijingtjdx @163.com