The single cellular green microalga Botryococcus braunii, race B possesses three distinct 1-deoxy-d-xylulose 5-phosphate synthases

► cDNAs of 1-deoxy-d-xylulose 5-phosphate synthase (DXS) were cloned from Botryococcus braunii. ► Three distinct genes coding for functional DXS isoenzymes were identified. ► The isoforms had similar enzymatic properties except for temperature dependence. ► Accumulation of the DXS mRNAs was highest on day 6 after subculturing. ► This is the first report on a microalga possessing multiple DXS like higher plants.