Substrate Transfer in Carotene Biosynthesis in phycomyces

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Abstract
Lycopene cyclization to .gamma.-carotene and then to .beta.-carotene is partially blocked in Phycomyces by the presence of carR mutations in heterokaryosis or by the addition of 2-(4-chlorophenyl)thiotriethylamine.cntdot.HCl to the medium. The carotenes synthesized by Phycomyces under conditions of partially blocked cyclization and in the presence of either carA mutations in heterokaryosis or polyoxyethylenesorbitan monooleate (Tween-80) in the medium were determined. Transfer of intermediate substrates between the enzyme aggregates involved in carotenogenesis occurs in the wild type but not in heterokaryons for carA mutations, and is facilitated by Tween-80.