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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Ithaca, New York » Robert W. Holley Center for Agriculture & Health » Plant, Soil and Nutrition Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #297012
Title: Chromoplast biogenesis and carotenoid accumulation

Author
item Li, Li
item YUAN, HUI - Cornell University

Submitted to: Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics
Publication Type: Review Article
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/12/2013
Publication Date: 10/12/2013
Citation: Li, L., Yuan, H. 2013. Chromoplast biogenesis and carotenoid accumulation. Archives Of Biochemistry and Biophysics. 539:102-109.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Chromoplasts are special organelles that possess superior ability to synthesize and store massive amounts of carotenoids. They are responsible for the distinctive colors found in fruits, flowers, and roots. Chromoplasts exhibit various morphologies and are derived from either pre-existing chloroplasts or other non-photosynthetic plastids such as proplastids, leucoplasts or amyloplasts. While little is known about the molecular mechanisms underlying chromoplast biogenesis, research progress along with proteomics study of chromoplast proteomes signifies various processes and factors improtant for chromoplast differentiaton and development. Chromoplasts act as a metabolic sink that enables great biosynthesis and high storage capacity of carotenoids. The formation of chromoplasts enhances carotenoid metabolic sink strength and controls carotenoid accumulation in plants. The objective of this review is to provide an integrated view on our understanding of chromoplast biogenesis and carotenoid accumulation in plants.