PRODUCTION OF PHYTOENE, AN OXIDATIVE STRESS PROTECTIVE CAROTENOID, IN MAMMALIAN-CELLS BY INTRODUCTION OF PHYTOENE SYNTHASE GENE CRTB ISOLATED FROM A BACTERIUM ERWINIA-UREDOVORA

Carotenoids have been known to be effective in preventing a variety of diseases such as cancers and cardiovascular disorders. Mammalian cells cannot synthesize carotenoids and rely on a dietary source for their intake. Here we report the establishment of mammalian cells synthesizing phytoene, a kind of carotenoid, by introduction of the crtB gene, phytoene synthase gene, which was previously cloned from a bacterium, Erwinia uredovora. The phytoene-producing cells acquired a resistance against oxidative stress induced by Fe3+/adenosine 5'-diphosphate. The data suggest the feasibility of a genetic chemoprevention for oxidative stress-related disorders by endogenous synthesis of phytoene in mammalian cells.