Biosynthesis of drosopterins, the red eye pigments of Drosophila melanogaster.

Heuijong Kim, Kiyoung Kim, Jeongbin Yim

School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.

IUBMB life 2013 Apr

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Drosophila melanogaster has red eyes. Scientists have been curious about the biosynthesis of the red eye pigments and have completed a number of investigations on these compounds. Scientific contributions made over the past 50 years have improved our understanding of the red eye pigments. Researchers have elucidated the chemical structures of some pigments and have successfully purified and identified the enzymes that participate in the biosynthesis of the red eye pigments. In this article, we will review the characteristics of the Drosophila red eye pigments and of the enzymes and genes involved in its biosynthetic pathway. Copyright © 2013 International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.

Citation

Heuijong Kim, Kiyoung Kim, Jeongbin Yim. Biosynthesis of drosopterins, the red eye pigments of Drosophila melanogaster. IUBMB life. 2013 Apr;65(4):334-40