Aliases for BCO2 Gene
External Ids for BCO2 Gene
Previous HGNC Symbols for BCO2 Gene
Previous GeneCards Identifiers for BCO2 Gene
This gene encodes an enzyme which oxidizes carotenoids such as beta-carotene during the biosynthesis of vitamin A. Multiple transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been found for this gene. [provided by RefSeq, Jan 2012]
GeneCards Summary for BCO2 Gene
BCO2 (Beta-Carotene Oxygenase 2) is a Protein Coding gene. Among its related pathways are Signaling by GPCR and Vitamin A and carotenoid metabolism. GO annotations related to this gene include oxidoreductase activity, acting on single donors with incorporation of molecular oxygen, incorporation of two atoms of oxygen. An important paralog of this gene is BCO1.
UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot for BCO2 Gene
Asymmetrically cleaves beta-carotene at the 9,10 double bond resulting in the formation of beta-apo-10-carotenal and beta-ionone. Besides beta-carotene, lycopene is also oxidatively cleaved. The apocarotenals formed by this enzyme may be the precursors for the biosynthesis of retinoic acid or exert unknown physiological effects.