Expression of the ζ-carotene desaturase gene in sunflower

A relative Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) approach was performed to assess zeta-carotene desaturase (HaZds) gene expression in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.). HaZds was highly expressed in cotyledons and in young and mature leaves, but transcript levels were comparatively lower in both stems and roots. The HaZds transcript levels were influenced by leaf expansion, which suggests that HaZds expression is regulated during leaf development. The key role of HaZds in controlling carotenoid biosynthesis is indicated by the concurrent increase of HaZds transcript levels with the light-dependent enhanced carotenoid production in cotyledons of sunflower.