Encodes a protein with 9-cis-epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase activity. The enzyme was shown to act on a variety of carotenoid including β-carotene, lutein, zeaxanthin, and all-trans-violaxanthin. When those compounds are used as substrates, the major reaction product detected is a C14 dialdehyde: 4,9-dimethyldodeca-2,4,6,8,10-pentaene-1,12-dial. The enzyme did not cleave as efficiently carotenoids containing 9-cis-double or allenic bonds. The mRNA is cell-to-cell mobile.
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