Pathway elucidation and heterologous reconstitution of the long-chain alkane pentadecane biosynthesis from Pogostemon cablin.

ABSTRACT: Very-long-chain (VLC) alkanes are major components of hydrophobic cuticular waxes that cover the aerial epidermis of land plants, serving as a waterproofing barrier to protect the plant against environmental stresses. The mechanism of VLC-alkane biosynthesis has been extensively elucidated in plants. However, little is known about the biosynthesis of long-chain alkanes (LC, C₁₃ ~ C₁₉) such as pentadecane in plants. Alkanes with different chain lengths are also major constituents of fossil fuels and thus the discovery of the alkane biosynthetic machinery in plants would provide a toolbox of enzymes for the production of renewable hydrocarbon sources and next generations of biofuels. The top leaves of Pogostemon cablin at young stage accumulate large amounts of LC-alkan

SUBMITTER: Wen J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11772327 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature