Editing Lycopene (section)

===Biosynthesis===
The unconditioned biosynthesis of lycopene in eukaryotic plants and in prokaryotic cyanobacteria is similar, as are the enzymes involved.<ref name=lpi/> Synthesis begins with [[mevalonic acid]], which is converted into [[dimethylallyl pyrophosphate]].  This is then condensed with three molecules of [[isopentenyl pyrophosphate]] (an isomer of dimethylallyl pyrophosphate), to give the 20-carbon [[geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate]].  Two molecules of this product are then condensed in a tail-to-tail configuration to give the 40-carbon [[phytoene]], the first committed step in carotenoid biosynthesis.  Through several desaturation steps, phytoene is converted into lycopene.  The two terminal isoprene groups of lycopene can be cyclized to produce beta-carotene, which can then be transformed into a wide variety of xanthophylls.<ref name=lpi/>