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Genetic Manipulation of the Fatty Acid Composition of Plant Lipids

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Opportunities for Phytochemistry in Plant Biotechnology

Part of the book series: Recent Advances in Phytochemistry ((RAPT,volume 22))

Abstract

There are, in principle, many attractive opportunities for using recombinant DNA techniques to manipulate the lipid metabolism of higher plants. For instance, there are currently no major field crops that are used as a source of medium chain fatty acids (C8 – C12). If we understood the factors that regulate the acyl group chain length of storage lipids, it might be possible to genetically engineer one or more crop species to produce medium or very long chain fatty acids. Similarly, if detailed information were available concerning the enzymes which regulate fatty acid desaturation, it might be possible to use cloned genes for these enzymes to manipulate the fatty acid composition of many species to suit specific industrial needs. There are also many conceivable applications of recombinant DNA techniques to the manipulation of membrane lipid composition for both applied and academic ends. For instance, because of the possible importance of membrane lipid composition in the temperature responses of plants,1 it may be possible to genetically modify economically important crop species to better suit particular environmental conditions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. MSU-DOE Plant Research Laboratory, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, 48824, USA

    Chris R. Somerville

  2. Institute of Biological Chemistry, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, 99164, USA

    John Browse

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  1. Chris R. Somerville
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  2. John Browse
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of California, Davis, California, USA

    Eric E. Conn

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© 1988 Plenum Press, New York

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Somerville, C.R., Browse, J. (1988). Genetic Manipulation of the Fatty Acid Composition of Plant Lipids. In: Conn, E.E. (eds) Opportunities for Phytochemistry in Plant Biotechnology. Recent Advances in Phytochemistry, vol 22. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-0274-3_2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-0274-3_2

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