A squalene synthase-like enzyme initiates production of tetraterpenoid hydrocarbons in Botryococcus braunii Race L

Abstract

The green microalga Botryococcus braunii is a promising biofuel producer due to its ability to produce large amounts of hydrocarbon oils that can be converted into fuels. Here the authors implicate lycopaoctaene synthase, a squalene synthases-like enzyme, in the first step towards the biosynthesis of the C40 tetraterpenoid hydrocarbon lycopadiene.