Modulation of lipid biosynthesis by stress in diatoms

Citation

Sayanova O, Mimouni V, Ulmann L, Morant-Manceau A, Pasquet V, Schoefs B & Napier JA (2017) Modulation of lipid biosynthesis by stress in diatoms. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 372 (1728), Art. No.: 20160407. https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2016.0407

Abstract
Diatoms are responsible for up to 40% of the carbon fixation in our oceans. The fixed carbon is moved through carbon metabolism towards the synthesis of organic molecules that are consumed through interlocking foodwebs, and this process is strongly impacted by the abiotic environment. However, it has become evident that diatoms can be used as ‘platform’ organisms for the production of high valuable bio-products such as lipids, pigments and carbohydrates where stress conditions can be used to direct carbon metabolism towards the commercial production of these compounds. In the first section of this review, some aspects of carbon metabolism in diatoms and how it is impacted by environmental factors are briefly described. The second section is focused on the biosynthesis of lipids and in particular omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids and how low temperature stress impacts on the production of these compounds. In a third section, we review the recent advances in bioengineering for lipid production. Finally, we discuss new perspectives for designing strains for the sustainable production of high-value lipids.

Journal
Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences: Volume 372, Issue 1728

People

Professor Johnathan Napier

Honorary Professor, Institute of Aquaculture