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EntityQ302247· pop 14· linked from 188 articles

15-cis-phytoene

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Also known as (6E,10E,14E,16Z,18E,22E,26E)-2,6,10,14,19,23,27,31-octamethyldotriaconta-2,6,10,14,16,18,22,26,30-nonaene, cis-phytoene

Phytoene () is a 40-carbon intermediate in the biosynthesis of carotenoids. The synthesis of phytoene is the first committed step in the synthesis of carotenoids in plants. Phytoene is produced from two molecules of geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate (GGPP) by the action of the enzyme phytoene synthase. The two GGPP molecules are condensed together followed by removal of diphosphate and proton shift leading to the formation of phytoene.

Wikidata facts

Subclass of
carotenoid
Mass
544.500802
Show 5 more facts
chemical formula
C₄₀H₆₄
canonical SMILES
CC(=CCCC(=CCCC(=CCCC(=CC=CC=C(C)CCC=C(C)CCC=C(C)CCC=C(C)C)C)C)C)C
isomeric SMILES
CC(=CCC/C(=C/CC/C(=C/CC/C(=C/C=C\C=C(\CC/C=C(/CC/C=C(/CCC=C(C)C)\C)\C)/C)/C)/C)/C)C
found in taxon
Pantoea agglomerans
Commons category
Phytoene
Sources (6)

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Encyclopedic overview

5 sections
Contents
  • Structure
  • Sources
  • History
  • References
  • Further reading

Phytoene () is a 40-carbon intermediate in the biosynthesis of carotenoids. The synthesis of phytoene is the first committed step in the synthesis of carotenoids in plants. Phytoene is produced from two molecules of geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate (GGPP) by the action of the enzyme phytoene synthase. The two GGPP molecules are condensed together followed by removal of diphosphate and proton shift leading to the formation of phytoene.

Dietary phytoene and phytofluene are found in a number of human tissues including the liver, lung, breast, prostate, colon, and skin. Accumulation of these carotenoids in the skin may protect the skin by several mechanisms: acting as UV absorbers, as antioxidants, and as anti-inflammatory agents.

Excerpted from Wikipedia’s “15-cis-phytoene” article, available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence.