Metabolic regulation of triacylglycerol accumulation in the green algae: identification of potential targets for engineering to improve oil yield

• Published in: Plant biotechnology journal Vol. 14; no. 8; pp. 1649 - 1660
• Main Authors: Goncalves, Elton C., Wilkie, Ann C., Kirst, Matias, Rathinasabapathi, Bala
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England John Wiley & Sons, Inc 01.08.2016; John Wiley and Sons Inc
• Subjects: Accumulation; acyltransferases; Algae; Alternative energy sources; Alternative fuels; Aquatic plants; Biodiesel fuels; biofuel; Biofuels; Biomass; Biomass energy; Carbon; Carbon - metabolism; Cell division; Chlorophyta; Chlorophyta - genetics; Chlorophyta - metabolism; Climate change; Crude oil prices; Emissions; Energy consumption; Energy minerals; Environmental conditions; fatty acids; Fossil fuels; Genetic Engineering - methods; Genetically altered foods; Genomes; Knowledge bases (artificial intelligence); lipid; Lipid bodies; lipid droplets; Lipid Droplets - metabolism; Lipids; Metabolic Engineering - methods; Metabolism; Metabolites; Microalgae; Nitrogen - metabolism; nutrient starvation; Nutrients; Photosynthesis; Physiology; Productivity; R&D; Raw materials; Regulon; Renewable resources; Research & development; Researchers; Review; Starch - metabolism; Studies; Target recognition; transcription factors; triacylglycerol; Triglycerides; Triglycerides - genetics; Triglycerides - metabolism; triacylglycerol; fatty acids; biofuel; transcription factors; nutrient starvation; algae; acyltransferases; lipid droplets; lipid
• ISSN: 1467-7644; 1467-7652
• DOI: 10.1111/pbi.12523

Summary The great need for more sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels has increased our research interests in algal biofuels. Microalgal cells, characterized by high photosynthetic efficiency and rapid cell division, are an excellent source of neutral lipids as potential fuel stocks. Various stress factors, especially nutrient‐starvation conditions, induce an increased formation of lipid bodies filled with triacylglycerol in these cells. Here we review our knowledge base on glycerolipid synthesis in the green algae with an emphasis on recent studies on carbon flux, redistribution of lipids under nutrient‐limiting conditions and its regulation. We discuss the contributions and limitations of classical and novel approaches used to elucidate the algal triacylglycerol biosynthetic pathway and its regulatory network in green algae. Also discussed are gaps in knowledge and suggestions for much needed research both on the biology of triacylglycerol accumulation and possible avenues to engineer improved algal strains.