Table 3.
Comparison of crtB RNA and protein levels, phytoene synthase activity, end products, flux control coefficients, and deviation indices among crtB lines
| Plant | crtB mRNA | CRTB | PSY activity (-fold) | Carotenoids (-fold) | C
|
Deviation index |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Control | NA | NA | 1.0 ± 0.09 | 1.0 ± 0.20 | 0.36 ± 0.040 | NA |
| B3-15 | 0.43 | 0.6 | 5.6 ± 0.7 | 1.8 ± 0.17 | 0.15 ± 0.080 | −3.35 |
| B1-6 | 0.5 | 0.8 | 14.4 ± 0.5 | 1.1 ± 0.06* | 0.01 ± 0.001 | −576.2 |
| B4-19 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 7.5 ± 0.5 | 1.8 ± 0.10 | 0.12 ± 0.040 | −4.50 |
Control plants are respective azygous lines. B3, B1, and B4 are homozygous lines. crtB RNA and protein are relative units and were determined by densitometric scanning. PSY activity represents the mean of three determinations. A relative unit (-fold) of 1 typically represents 3.4 × 103 disintegrations/min/mg of protein/h. Fold increases in carotenoids are the sum of lycopene, β-carotene, phytoene, and lutein, and the means of 6 to 9 determinations on 10 dpb ripe fruit. NA, not applicable; C
, flux control coefficients during the onset of ripening (breaker to ripe).
Indicates an increase in the carotenoid content of 1.1-fold, but β-carotene increased 2-fold. Flux control coefficients and deviation indices for phytoene synthase during ripening are the mean of 2–3 experimental determinations.