The Biosynthesis and Function of the Zanthophyll Class of Carotenoids in Plants

Photosynthesis is a requirement for life and equally important is photoprotection, which is the ability of plants to survive daily fluctuations in light intensity. Both processes require the yellow pigments, carotenoids. We are using the model plant, Arabidopsis, to procedure genetically modified plants which a reduction in all xanthophylls. The first aim will provide new insight in the mechanism of key carotenoid biosynthetic enzymes. Also, it will provide unique conditionally photosensitive plants that can be used to help educate the collective roles of xanthophylls and -carotene in photoprotection and photosystem assembly, which will hopefully identify ways to increase photoprotective capacity.