Sequence analysis of the lycopene ε-cyclase gene in cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata)

Lycopene ε-cyclase (LCYE) is an important enzyme in carotenoid biosynthesis. Here, the Brassica oleracea var. capitata LCYE (BocLCYE) gene sequences were obtained from Brassica database (BRAD), and preformed for sequence analysis. The BocLCYE1, BocLCYE2 genes mapped to chromosomes 3 and 5, and contains an open reading frame of 1,596 bp, 1,605 bp that encodes a 531, 534 amino acid protein, respectively. Subcellular localization predicted both LCYE genes were in the chloroplast. The conserved domains of the BocLCYE protein are PLN02697 and Rossmann-fold NAD(P)(+)-binding domain. Homology analysis indicates that the levels of identity among BocLCYEs were all more than 74%, and the LCYE protein is apparently conserved during plant evolution and is most closely related to B. napus. The findings of the present study provide a molecular basis for the elucidation of LCYE gene function in cabbage.