Biosynthesis of polyunsaturated fatty acids in the oleaginous marine diatom Fistulifera sp. strain JPCC DA0580.

ABSTRACT: Studies of polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) biosynthesis in microalgae are of great importance for many reasons, including the production of biofuel and variable omega 3-long chain PUFAs. The elucidation of the PUFA biosynthesis pathway is necessary for bioengineering to increase or decrease PUFA content in certain microalgae. In this study, we identified the PUFA synthesis pathway in the oleaginous marine diatom, Fistulifera sp. strain JPCC DA0580, a promising candidate for biodiesel production. The data revealed not only the presence of the desaturases and elongases involved in eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) synthesis, but also the unexpected localization of ω3-desaturase expression in the chloroplast. This suggests that this microalga might perform the final step of EPA synthesis in the c

SUBMITTER: Liang Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3877899 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature