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

Author

Listed:
  • Hem R. Thapa

    (Texas A&M University)

  • Mandar T. Naik

    (Texas A&M University
    Biomolecular NMR Laboratory, Texas A&M University)

  • Shigeru Okada

    (Laboratory of Aquatic Natural Products Chemistry, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo
    Japan Science and Technology Agency-Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology (CREST))

  • Kentaro Takada

    (Laboratory of Aquatic Natural Products Chemistry, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo
    Japan Science and Technology Agency-Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology (CREST))

  • István Molnár

    (Natural Products Center, School of Natural Resources and the Environment, The University of Arizona)

  • Yuquan Xu

    (Natural Products Center, School of Natural Resources and the Environment, The University of Arizona
    Biotechnology Research Institute, The Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences)

  • Timothy P. Devarenne

    (Texas A&M University)

Abstract

The green microalga Botryococcus braunii is considered a promising biofuel feedstock producer due to its prodigious accumulation of hydrocarbon oils that can be converted into fuels. B. braunii Race L produces the C40 tetraterpenoid hydrocarbon lycopadiene via an uncharacterized biosynthetic pathway. Structural similarities suggest this pathway follows a biosynthetic mechanism analogous to that of C30 squalene. Confirming this hypothesis, the current study identifies C20 geranylgeranyl diphosphate (GGPP) as a precursor for lycopaoctaene biosynthesis, the first committed intermediate in the production of lycopadiene. Two squalene synthase (SS)-like complementary DNAs are identified in race L with one encoding a true SS and the other encoding an enzyme with lycopaoctaene synthase (LOS) activity. Interestingly, LOS uses alternative C15 and C20 prenyl diphosphate substrates to produce combinatorial hybrid hydrocarbons, but almost exclusively uses GGPP in vivo. This discovery highlights how SS enzyme diversification results in the production of specialized tetraterpenoid oils in race L of B. braunii.

Suggested Citation

  • Hem R. Thapa & Mandar T. Naik & Shigeru Okada & Kentaro Takada & István Molnár & Yuquan Xu & Timothy P. Devarenne, 2016. "A squalene synthase-like enzyme initiates production of tetraterpenoid hydrocarbons in Botryococcus braunii Race L," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 7(1), pages 1-13, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:7:y:2016:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms11198
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms11198
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    Cited by:

    1. Lim, Jackson Hwa Keen & Gan, Yong Yang & Ong, Hwai Chyuan & Lau, Beng Fye & Chen, Wei-Hsin & Chong, Cheng Tung & Ling, Tau Chuan & Klemeš, Jiří Jaromír, 2021. "Utilization of microalgae for bio-jet fuel production in the aviation sector: Challenges and perspective," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 149(C).
    2. Violeta Makareviciene & Egle Sendzikiene, 2022. "Application of Microalgae Biomass for Biodiesel Fuel Production," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-33, June.
    3. Bwapwa, Joseph K. & Anandraj, Akash & Trois, Cristina, 2017. "Possibilities for conversion of microalgae oil into aviation fuel: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 80(C), pages 1345-1354.

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