Galpaz, N., Department of Vegetable Crops and Plant Genetics, Agricultural Research Organization, Newe ya'Ar Research Center, P.O. Box 1021, Ramat Yishay 30-095, Israel
Burger, Y., Department of Vegetable Crops and Plant Genetics, Agricultural Research Organization, Newe ya'Ar Research Center, P.O. Box 1021, Ramat Yishay 30-095, Israel
Lavee, T., Department of Vegetable Crops and Plant Genetics, Agricultural Research Organization, Newe ya'Ar Research Center, P.O. Box 1021, Ramat Yishay 30-095, Israel
Tzuri, G., Department of Vegetable Crops and Plant Genetics, Agricultural Research Organization, Newe ya'Ar Research Center, P.O. Box 1021, Ramat Yishay 30-095, Israel
Sherman, A., Department of Fruit Science, Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Center, P.O. Box 6, Bet Dagan 50-250, Israel
Melamed, T., Department of Fruit Science, Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Center, P.O. Box 6, Bet Dagan 50-250, Israel
Eshed, R., Department of Fruit Science, Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Center, P.O. Box 6, Bet Dagan 50-250, Israel
Meir, A., Department of Vegetable Crops and Plant Genetics, Agricultural Research Organization, Newe ya'Ar Research Center, P.O. Box 1021, Ramat Yishay 30-095, Israel
Portnoy, V., Department of Vegetable Crops and Plant Genetics, Agricultural Research Organization, Newe ya'Ar Research Center, P.O. Box 1021, Ramat Yishay 30-095, Israel
Bar, E., Department of Vegetable Crops and Plant Genetics, Agricultural Research Organization, Newe ya'Ar Research Center, P.O. Box 1021, Ramat Yishay 30-095, Israel
Shimoni-Shor, E., Department of Vegetable Crops and Plant Genetics, Agricultural Research Organization, Newe ya'Ar Research Center, P.O. Box 1021, Ramat Yishay 30-095, Israel
Feder, A., Department of Vegetable Crops and Plant Genetics, Agricultural Research Organization, Newe ya'Ar Research Center, P.O. Box 1021, Ramat Yishay 30-095, Israel
Saar, Y., Department of Vegetable Crops and Plant Genetics, Agricultural Research Organization, Newe ya'Ar Research Center, P.O. Box 1021, Ramat Yishay 30-095, Israel
Saar, U., Department of Vegetable Crops and Plant Genetics, Agricultural Research Organization, Newe ya'Ar Research Center, P.O. Box 1021, Ramat Yishay 30-095, Israel
Baumkoler, F., Department of Vegetable Crops and Plant Genetics, Agricultural Research Organization, Newe ya'Ar Research Center, P.O. Box 1021, Ramat Yishay 30-095, Israel
Lewinsohn, E., Department of Vegetable Crops and Plant Genetics, Agricultural Research Organization, Newe ya'Ar Research Center, P.O. Box 1021, Ramat Yishay 30-095, Israel
Schaffer, A.A., Department of Vegetable Crops and Plant Genetics, Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Center, P.O. Box 6, Bet Dagan 50-250, Israel
Katzir, N., Department of Vegetable Crops and Plant Genetics, Agricultural Research Organization, Newe ya'Ar Research Center, P.O. Box 1021, Ramat Yishay 30-095, Israel
Tadmor, Y., Department of Vegetable Crops and Plant Genetics, Agricultural Research Organization, Newe ya'Ar Research Center, P.O. Box 1021, Ramat Yishay 30-095, Israel

In order to broaden the available genetic variation of melon, we developed an ethyl methanesulfonate mutation library in an orange-flesh 'Charentais' type melon line that accumulates β-carotene. One mutagenized M2 family segregated for a novel recessive trait, a yellow-orange fruit flesh ('yofI'). HPLC analysis revealed that 'yofI' accumulates pro-lycopene (tetra-cis-lycopene) as its major fruit pigment. The altered carotenoid composition of 'yofI' is associated with a significant change of the fruit aroma since cleavage of β-carotene yields different apocarotenoids than the cleavage of pro-lycopene. Normally, pro-lycopene is further isomerized by CRTISO (carotenoid isomerase) to yield all-trans-lycopene, which is further cyclized to β-carotene in melon fruit. Cloning and sequencing of 'yofI' CRTISO identified two mRNA sequences which lead to truncated forms of CRTISO. Sequencing of the genomic CRTISO identified an A-T transversion in 'yofI' which leads to a premature STOP codon. The early carotenoid pathway genes were up regulated in yofI fruit causing accumulation of other intermediates such as phytoene and ζ-carotene. Total carotenoid levels are only slightly increased in the mutant. Mutants accumulating pro-lycopene have been reported in both tomato and watermelon fruits, however, this is the first report of a non-lycopene accumulating fruit showing this phenomenon. © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.