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Enzymes of glycerol-3-phosphate pathway in triacylglycerol synthesis in plants: Function, biotechnological application and evolution.

Authors :
Maraschin FDS
Kulcheski FR
Segatto ALA
Trenz TS
Barrientos-Diaz O
Margis-Pinheiro M
Margis R
Turchetto-Zolet AC
Source :
Progress in lipid research [Prog Lipid Res] 2019 Jan; Vol. 73, pp. 46-64. Date of Electronic Publication: 2018 Dec 04.
Publication Year :
2019

Abstract

Triacylglycerols (TAG) are the major form of energy storage in plants. TAG are primarily stored in seeds and fruits, but vegetative tissues also possess a high capacity for their synthesis and storage. These storage lipids are essential to plant development, being used in seedling growth during germination, pollen development, and sexual reproduction, for example. TAG are also an important source of edible oils for animal and human consumption, and are used for fuel and industrial feedstocks. The canonical pathway leading to TAG synthesis is the glycerol-3-phosphate, or Kennedy, pathway, which is an evolutionarily conserved process in most living organisms. The enzymatic machinery for synthesizing TAG is well known in several plant species, and the genes encoding these enzymes have been the focus of many studies. Here, we review recent progress on the understanding of evolutionary, functional and biotechnological aspects of the glycerol-3-phosphate pathway enzymes that produce TAG. We discuss current knowledge about their functional aspects, and summarize valuable insights into genetically engineered plants for enhancing TAG accumulation. Also, we highlight the evolutionary history of these genes and present a meta-analysis linking positive selection to gene family and plant diversification, and also to the domestication processes in oilseed crops.<br /> (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1873-2194
Volume :
73
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Progress in lipid research
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
30521822
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.plipres.2018.12.001