High level expression of carotenogenic genes for enzyme purification and biochemical characterization

Heterologous expression in Escherichia coli of several carotenogenic enzymes is described as a successful strategy for biochemical characterization and elucidation of enzyme mechanisms, This approach is applicable for many different carotenogenic enzymes from bacteria, fungi and plants. Information is presented on the types of expression constructs used and the strategies employed for expression. Furthermore, details on purification of expressed proteins and on their enzymatic assays are given together with a survey on the biochemical properties of all carotenogenic enzymes which were obtained by expression in E coli.