Function
Plays a crucial role in plant growth and development. Is essential for the biosynthesis of carotenoids. Carotenoids are involved in different physiological processes, including coloration, photoprotection, biosynthesis of abscisic acid (ABA) and chloroplast biogenesis (PubMed:17468780, PubMed:24907342). Catalyzes the conversion of zeta-carotene to lycopene via the intermediary of neurosporene. It carries out two consecutive desaturations (introduction of double bonds) at positions C-7 and C-7'. Shows stereoselectivity toward trans C15-C15'zeta-carotene double bond. The zeta-carotene produced by the phytoene desaturase PDS has a C15-C15' double bond in the cis configuration and it requires isomerization before being recognized as substrate by ZDS. The main product is 7,9,7',9'-tetra-cis-lycopene (pro-lycopene) (PubMed:9914519).
Sequence
MASSVVFAATGSLSVPPLKSRRFYVNSSLDSDVSDMSVNAPKGLFPPEPVPYKGPKLKVAIIGAGLAGMSTAVELLDQGHEVDIYDSRTFIGGKVGSFVDRRGNHIEMGLHVFFGCYNNLFRLMKKVGAEKNLLVKDHTHTFINKDGTIGELDFRFPVGAPIHGIRAFLVTNQLKPYDKLRNSLALALSPVVKALVDPDGAMRDIRNLDSISFSDWFLSKGGTRASIQRMWDPVAYALGFIDCDNMSARCMLTIFSLFATKTEASLLRMLKGSPDVYLSGPIKQYITDRGGRIHLRWGCREILYDKSADGETYVTGLAISKATNKKIVKADVYVAACDVPGIKRLLPKEWRESRFFNDIYELEGVPVVTVQLRYNGWVTELQDIELARQLKRAVGLDNLLYTPDADFSCFADLALASPADYYIEGQGTLLQCVLTPGDPYMRMPNDKIIEKVAMQVTELFPSSRGLEVTWSSVVKIAQSLYREAPGKDPFRPDQKTPIKNFFLAGSYTKQDYIDSMEGATLSGRQASSYICDAGEELAELNKKLSSSATAVPDELSLV