Phytoene photoinduction in a carotenoid mutant of Neurospora crassa

Abstract

The dynamics of carotenoid photoinduction in N. crassa have been studied by comparing a wild type and a mutant strain lacking the second step (phytoene dehydrogenation) in the carotene biosynthetic pathway. The data indicate that dark-grown cultures contain 113 to 150 μg carotenoid per gram dry weight and that light induction can double the carotenoid content. Phytoene synthesis and phytoene dehydrogenations are photoregulated independently.