Phylogenetic analysis and evolutionary studies of plant carotenoid cleavage dioxygenase gene

• In total, 77 CCD genes were identified from 39 species from 21 plant families.
• Phylogenetic analysis showed well-conserved CCD sub-families.
• There was a substantial divergence found between CCD subfamilies.
• Site-specific profile shows critical amino acid residues for functional divergence.

The oxidative breakdown of carotenoid evidences the formation of apocarotenoids through carotenoid cleavage dioxygenases (CCDs). Numerous CCDs and apocarotenoids have been identified and characterized in plants. Using available sequence data, a study was performed to investigate the phylogenetic relationship among CCD genes and to statistically estimate the sequence conservation and functional divergence. In total, 77 genes were identified from 39 species belonging to 21 families. Our result of phylogenetic analysis indicated the existence of well-conserved subfamilies. Moreover, comparative genomic analysis showed that the gene structures of the CCDs were highly conserved across some different lineage species. Through functional divergence analysis, a substantial divergence was found between CCD subfamilies. In addition, examination of the site-specific profile revealed the critical amino acid residues accounting for functional divergence. This study mainly focused on the evolution of CCD genes and their functional divergence which may deliver an initial step for further experimental verifications.