生化学・分子生物学から見た天然ゴム

抄録

Natural rubber is one of the most important polymers produced by plants because it is strategic raw material used in more than 40000 products including the tire. It is focused as carbon neutral industrial material because it is synthesized from atmospheric CO₂. Among over 2500 rubber producing plant species, the Para rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis Muell. Arg.) is presently the only commercial source of natural rubber. There are some unknown points about the detail of natural rubber biosynthesis. The objective of this review is to provide readers with information on the newest trends of the natural rubber and Para rubber tree research from standpoint of biochemistry and molecular biology.