Abstract
In most plants, major unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs) are three C18 species, namely, oleic (18:1), linoleic (18:2), and α-linolenic (18:3) acids. These simple compounds play multiple crucial roles in planta and are also important economic traits of oil crops. The enzymatic steps of C18 UFA biosynthesis have been well established. However, the associated FA/lipid trafficking between the plastid and the endoplasmic reticulum remains largely unclear, as does the regulation of the expression and activities of the involved enzymes. In this review, we will revisit the biosynthesis of C18 UFAs with an emphasis on the trafficking, and present an overview of the key enzymes and their regulation. Of particular interest is the emerging regulatory network composed of transcriptional factors and upstream signaling pathways. The review thereby provides the promise of using physical, biochemical and/or genetic means to manipulate FA composition and increase oil yield in crop improvement.
Highlights
Unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs), alphatic carboxylic acids with one or more double bonds mostly in cis configuration, are fundamental to higher organisms
18:2 and 18:3, the two polyunsaturated FAs (PUFAs), are dietary essential FAs, because we human beings are incapable of their biosynthesis; high 18:1 or 18:3 and low 18:2 are beneficial for our health
Acylcarnitines were supposed to participate in shuffling FAs from plastids to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), based on the following facts: (1) acylcarnitine is a form of FA trafficking in animals and yeasts; (2) acylcarnitines are present in plants, with 18:1-carnitine being the relatively abundant one; (3) chloroplasts harbor carnitine transferase activities; (4) acylcarnitine pool enrichment is concomitant to membrane lipid biosynthesis
Summary
Unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs), alphatic carboxylic acids with one or more double bonds mostly in cis configuration, are fundamental to higher organisms. Acylcarnitines were supposed to participate in shuffling FAs from plastids to the ER, based on the following facts: (1) acylcarnitine is a form of FA trafficking in animals and yeasts; (2) acylcarnitines are present in plants, with 18:1-carnitine being the relatively abundant one; (3) chloroplasts harbor carnitine transferase activities; (4) acylcarnitine pool enrichment is concomitant to membrane lipid biosynthesis (see review Jacques et al, 2018).
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