| abstract |
There are provided genes involved in the biosynthesis of lycopene and having DNA sequences set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 3 and SEQ ID NO: 5 encoding proteins required for the biosynthesis of lycopene, a recombinant vector comprising at least one of the genes, and a mi¬ croorganism transformed with the recombinant vector and having a high content of lycopene. The lycopene is obtained at a yield of 15.3 mg/L and a content of 4.2 mg/gDCW when the recombined E. coli with the crt genes is cultivated, and the lycopene is also obtained with the maximum content of 5.4 mg/gDCW when a microorganism is transformed with the combination of the gene of the present invention and the known genes. Therefore, provided is the lycopene- producing strain having a more increased content of lycopene per dry cell weight than the known lycopene-producing strain with the genes. Accordingly, the genes may be useful to mass-produce lycopene in microorganisms, and also to mass-produce carotenoids. |