Comparative transcriptome analyses of oleaginous Botryococcus braunii race A reveal significant differences in gene expression upon cobalt enrichment.

Botryococcus braunii SAG 807-1 can tolerate high cobalt concentration and benefit from hydrocarbon accumulation. The time-course expression profiles for fatty acid biosynthesis, metabolism, and TAG assembly were obtained through different approaches but had equally satisfactory results with the redirection of free long-chain fatty acid and VLCFA away from TAG assembly and oxidation. These molecules served as precursors and backbone supply for the fatty acid-derived hydrocarbon accumulation. These findings provide a foundation for exploiting the regulation mechanisms in B. braunii race A for improved photosynthetic production of hydrocarbons.