Regulation of Oil Biosynthesis in Algae.

摘要

Microalgae produce triacylglycerols (TAGs) which can serve as feedstock for the production of bio-based aviation fuel. TAG accumulation is maximal following nutrient deprivation, when algae enter a state of quiescence accompanied by changes in metabolism and cessation of growth. The long term goal was to increase basic knowledge of lipid metabolism and its regulation in the green algae Chlamydomonas as a model to provide targets and strategies for the engineering of biotechnologically relevant microalgal strains for maximal production of TAGs. Specific accomplishments include the discovery of a galactolipase and of a lipid transport protein and their role in TAG accumulation leading to a revision of our understanding of lipid metabolism and lipid trafficking in microalgae.