Characterization of car α , car Lep , and Crt I genes controlling the biosynthesis of carotenes in Mycobacterium aurum

The genes controlling the biosynthesis of carotenes inMycobacterium aurum responsible for its yellow pigmentation were previously cloned (FEMS Microbiol Lett 1992, 90:239–244). In this study, the genescrt I, car α, andcar Lep, controlling respectively the formation of lycopene from phytoene (phytoene desaturase), α-carotene from lycopene, and leprotene from lycopene, were localized.