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Key mediators modulating
TAG synthesis and accumulation in woody oil plants
Yicun Chen1,
Yangdong Wang1*, Guan Zhou1,2, Peng Li
1,2 and Shanshan Zhang1,2
1Institute
of Subtropical Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Fuyang,
311400, China.
2College
of Life Science, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, 241000,
China.
Corresponding
author. E-mail:
wyd11111@126.com.
Accepted 27 November, 2008 |
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Woody oil
plant is gaining increasing interest as substitute for
petroleum-derived materials, and its enriched hydroxy and
conjugated fatty acids for industrial applications. In
pursuit of high-value and level oils, a better understanding
of mechanisms regarding triacylglycerol (TAG) synthesis and
accumulation is required. Here we first summarized the
germplasm resources of woody oil plants, and the key
mediators on TAG synthesis and accumulation, among which
diacylglycerol acyltransferases (DGATs)
is discussed for its clear role in TAG amount and
composition. Furthermore TAG-accosiated proteins called
oleosins are also discussed in depth due to their
determination on the amount and size of oil bodies.
Previously, two transcripts of oleosins were isolated from
Vernicia fordii by us, and the homology of oleosins
is analyzed. TAG accumulation is the result of multi-play
action of the above mediators at varied levels. Furthermore,
the channel of fatty acids flux also serves as a limiting
factor for determination of the rate of TAG accumulation.
The knowledge of key mediators modulating TAG accumulation
will provide new insight on further metabolic engineering of
oilseeds in woody plants.
Key
words:
Woody
oil plant, triacylglycerol accumulation, diacylglycerol
acyltransferases, oleosin, fatty acid flux. |
