• Journal of Plant Biology
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.189-195
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• 1996

The major cuticular components have been shown to be synthesized in the epidermis. Therefore, cloning of epidermis-specific genes could yield information to be used to isolate and characterize the enzymes involved in the cuticle biosynthesis. A subtractive cDNA library was prepared from Senecio odorus in which epidermis-specific cDNAs were enriched. Differential screening of the library using epidermal and non-epidermal probes revealed two cDNAs. One of them designated epi425 was identified, based on the sequence homology, as a member of a new class in the LTP gene family and the other clone designated epi23 as a gene encoding an aldehyde decarbonylase. Northern blot analyses showed that epi425 and epi23 cDNAs hybridized with a transcript of about 600 and 2, 100 nucleotides, respectively, from the epidermis but not from the non-epidermal tissues. Further characterization of these clones will provide more information on the mechanism of the cuticle biosynthesis.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.460-467
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• 2016

A filamentous cyanobacterium, Limnothrix sp. KNUA012, was axenically isolated from a freshwater bloom sample in Lake Hapcheon, Hapcheon-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do, Korea. Its morphological and molecular characteristics led to identification of the isolate as a member of the genus Limnothrix. Maximal growth was attained when the culture was incubated at 25℃. Analysis of its lipid composition revealed that strain KNUA012 could autotrophically synthesize alkanes, such as pentadecane (C₁₅H₃₂) and heptadecane (C₁₇H₃₆), which can be directly used as fuel without requiring a transesterification step. Two genes involved in alkane biosynthesis－an acyl-acyl carrier protein reductase and an aldehyde decarbonylase－were present in this cyanobacterium. Some common algal biodiesel constituents－myristoleic acid (C_14:1), palmitic acid (C_16:0), and palmitoleic acid (C_16:1)－were produced by strain KNUA012 as its major fatty acids. A proximate analysis showed that the volatile matter content was 86.0% and an ultimate analysis indicated that the higher heating value was 19.8 MJ kg⁻¹. The isolate also autotrophically produced 21.4 mg g⁻¹ phycocyanin－a high-value antioxidant compound. Therefore, Limnothrix sp. KNUA012 appears to show promise for application in cost-effective production of microalga-based biofuels and biomass feedstock over crop plants.