| Type: | Family | Name: | Lycopene cyclase-like |
| Description: | This family consists of lycopene beta and epsilon cyclase proteins. Carotenoids with cyclic end groups are essential components of the photosynthetic membranes in all plants, algae, and cyanobacteria. These lipid-soluble compounds protect against photo-oxidation, harvest light for photosynthesis, and dissipate excess light energy absorbed by the antenna pigments. The cyclisation of lycopene (psi, psi-carotene) is a key branch point in the pathway of carotenoid biosynthesis. Two types of cyclic end groups are found in higher plant carotenoids: the beta and epsilon rings. Carotenoids with two beta rings are ubiquitous, and those with one beta and one epsilon ring are common; however, carotenoids with two epsilon rings are rare []. | Short Name: | Lycopene_cyclase_like |
