\u3cem\u3eBotryoccocus Braunii\u3c/em\u3e Triterpene Synthase Proteins and Nucleic Acid Molecules, and Methods for Their Use

This application relates to the functional identification and characterization of a nucleic acid molecule encoding a triterpene synthase, in particular botryococcene synthase. Also described are host cells comprising the nucleic acid molecules of this invention, proteins encoded by the nucleic acid molecules and methods for using the nucleic acid molecules, transformed hosts and encoded proteins to produce high levels of triterpene hydrocarbons