BCO1
Description
The BCO1 (beta-carotene oxygenase 1) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 16.
The BCO1 gene encodes beta-carotene 15,15'-dioxygenase, an enzyme responsible for the conversion of beta-carotene to retinal. This enzyme is crucial for vitamin A production in humans and is found in the small intestine and liver. BCO1 cleaves beta-carotene using molecular oxygen and is enhanced by the presence of bile salts and thyroxine. It is classified as an oxidoreductase and belongs to the carotenoid oxygenases family. Carnivores, particularly pure carnivores like cats, lack BCO1 and cannot convert carotenoids to retinal, requiring preformed vitamin A in their diet.
BCO1 is also known as BCDO, BCDO1, BCMO, BCMO1, BCO.
