Rice (Oryza sativa) lipase: Molecular cloning, functional expression and substrate specificity

► The gene for rice bran lipase was cloned. ► RBL was expressed as a functional secretory protein in Pichia pastoris. ► The biochemical and kinetic properties of the expressed protein was similar to RBL. ► Expressed RBL showed a preference for short chain fatty acids. ► Catalytic efficiency correlates with the distance between Ser-OH to scissile ester bond.