Understanding the Control of Acyl Flux Through the Lipid Metabolic Network of Plant Oil Biosynthesis

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

9-1-2016

Department

Chemistry and Biochemistry

School

Mathematics and Natural Sciences

Abstract

Plant oil biosynthesis involves a complex metabolic network with multiple subcellular compartments, parallel pathways, cycles, and pathways that have a dual function to produce essential membrane lipids and triacylglycerol. Modern molecular biology techniques provide tools to alter plant oil compositions through bioengineering, however with few exceptions the final composition of triacylglycerol cannot be predicted. One reason for limited success in oilseed bioengineering is the inadequate understanding of how to control the flux of fatty acids through various fatty acid modification, and triacylglycerol assembly pathways of the lipid metabolic network. This review focuses on the mechanisms of acyl flux through the lipid metabolic network, and highlights where uncertainty resides in our understanding of seed oil biosynthesis. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Plant Lipid Biology edited by Kent D. Chapman and Ivo Feussner.

Publication Title

Biochimica et Biophysica ACTA (BBA): Molecular and Cell Biology of Lipids

Volume

1861

Issue

9

First Page

1215

Last Page

1225

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