| Carotenoids are colored terpenes synthesized in plants, algae and some yeasts and bacteria. In plants and algae, these lipophilic molecules exert functional roles inhormonesynthesis, photosynthesis, photomorphogenesis and photoprotection. Additionally, they possess antioxidant properties and act as scavengers of reactive oxygen species. During the past decade almost all of the carotenogenic genes have been identified by molecular, genetic and biochemical approaches in the Arabidopsis thaliana model system. Carotenoid biosynthesis in plants is highly regulated, although all of the processes involved have not yet been identified. In this work, we review the mechanisms involved in the light-mediated regulation of carotenoid biosynthesis and the effect of... |
