Abstract

Plants store triacylglycerides in organelles called oil bodies, which are important fuel sources for germination. Oil bodies consist of a lipid core surrounded by an interfacial single layer membrane of phospholipids and proteins. Oleosins are highly conserved plant proteins that are important for oil body formation, solubilising the triacylglycerides, stabilising oil bodies, and playing a role in mobilising the fuel during the germination process. The domain structure of oleosins is well established, with N- and C-terminal domains that are hydrophilic flanking a long hydrophobic domain that is proposed to protrude into the triacylglyceride core of the oil body. However, beyond this general understanding, little molecular level detail on the structure is available and what is known is disputed. This lack of knowledge limits our understanding of oleosin function and concomitantly our ability to engineer them. Here, we review the state of play in the literature regarding oleosin structure and function, and provide some examples of how oleosins can be used in commercial settings.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.