Name

BCO1 Gene

beta-carotene oxygenase 1

Vitamin A metabolism is important for vital processes such as vision, embryonic development, cell differentiation, and membrane and skin protection. The protein encoded by this gene is a key enzyme in beta-carotene metabolism to vitamin A. It catalyzes the oxidative cleavage of beta,beta-carotene into two retinal molecules. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008]

BCO2 Gene

beta-carotene oxygenase 2

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]