scholarly journals Genome-edited Camelina sativa with a unique fatty acid content and its potential impact on ecosystems

2021 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Katharina Kawall

Abstract‘Genome editing’ is intended to accelerate modern plant breeding enabling a much faster and more efficient development of crops with improved traits such as increased yield, altered nutritional composition, as well as resistance to factors of biotic and abiotic stress. These traits are often generated by site-directed nuclease-1 (SDN-1) applications that induce small, targeted changes in the plant genomes. These intended alterations can be combined in a way to generate plants with genomes that are altered on a larger scale than it is possible with conventional breeding techniques. The power and the potential of genome editing comes from its highly effective mode of action being able to generate different allelic combinations of genes, creating, at its most efficient, homozygous gene knockouts. Additionally, multiple copies of functional genes can be targeted all at once. This is especially relevant in polyploid plants such as Camelina sativa which contain complex genomes with multiple chromosome sets. Intended alterations induced by genome editing have potential to unintentionally alter the composition of a plant and/or interfere with its metabolism, e.g., with the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites such as phytohormones or other biomolecules. This could affect diverse defense mechanisms and inter-/intra-specific communication of plants having a direct impact on associated ecosystems. This review focuses on the intended alterations in crops mediated by SDN-1 applications, the generation of novel genotypes and the ecological effects emerging from these intended alterations. Genome editing applications in C. sativa are used to exemplify these issues in a crop with a complex genome. C. sativa is mainly altered in its fatty acid biosynthesis and used as an oilseed crop to produce biofuels.

2018 ◽  
Vol 46 (3) ◽  
pp. 1091-1111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Si Li ◽  
Stefanie M.H. Ismar

Background/Aims: As a model organism for a pleiomorphic marine planktonic primary producer, Phaeodactylum tricornutum has been studied on a molecular level under diverse cultural conditions. But little is known about its morphological, nutritional or transcriptomic responses under grazing stress. Methods: To assess microalgal molecular and cellular responses to grazer presence, we conducted transcriptome profiling in combination with growth rate, biovolume, fatty acid content, carbon and nitrogen content measurements in the model diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum. RNA-sequencing was used to evaluate the transcriptomic response to grazing stress for P. tricornutum strain CCAP 1055/1. Results: Among the differentially expressed genes, we found down-regulation of genes involved in pathogen resistance, and in fatty acid biosynthesis pathways, while mitosis-involved genes were up-regulated. Experimentally testing morphological and biochemical responses in five strains of the species, we detected strain-specific significant effects of simulated grazing pressure in altered growth rates, biovolume and nutritional composition. Conclusion: Our research reveals the associated molecular and cellular responses to grazing effects in P. tricornutum and extends the understanding of co-evolutionary roles in regulating grazing defence between P. tricornutum and its grazer.


Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 941
Author(s):  
Ewa Szpunar-Krok ◽  
Anna Wondołowska-Grabowska ◽  
Dorota Bobrecka-Jamro ◽  
Marta Jańczak-Pieniążek ◽  
Andrzej Kotecki ◽  
...  

Soybean is a valuable protein and oilseed crop ranked among the most significant of the major crops. Field experiments were carried out in 2016–2019 in South-East Poland. The influence of soybean cultivars (Aldana, Annushka), nitrogen fertilizer (0, 30, 60 kg∙ha−1 N) and inoculation with B. japonicum (control, HiStick® Soy, Nitragina) on the content of fatty acids (FA) in soybean seeds was investigated in a three-factorial experiment. This study confirms the genetic determinants of fatty acid composition in soybean seeds and their differential accumulation levels for C16:0, C16:1, C18:1n9, C18:2, C18:3, and C20:0 as well saturated (SFA), monounsaturated (MUFA), and polyunsaturated (PUFA) fatty acids. Increasing the rate from 30 to 60 kg ha−1 N did not produce the expected changes, suggesting the use of only a “starter” rate of 30 kg ha−1 N. Inoculation of soybean seeds with a strain of Bradyrhizobium japonicum (HiStick® Soy, BASF, Littlehampton, UK and Nitragina, Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation–State Research Institute, Puławy, Poland) is recommended as it will cause a decrease in SFA and C16:0 acid levels. This is considered nutritionally beneficial as its contribution to total fatty acids determines the hypercholesterolemic index, and it is the third most accumulated fatty acid in soybean seeds. The interaction of cultivars and inoculation formulation on fatty acid content of soybean seeds was demonstrated. An increase in the value of C16:0 content resulted in a decrease in the accumulation of C18:1, C18:2, and C18:3 acids. The content of each decreased by almost one unit for every 1% increase in C16:0 content. The dominant effect of weather conditions on the FA profile and C18:2n6/C18:3n3 ratio was demonstrated. This suggests a need for further evaluation of the genetic progress of soybean cultivars with respect to fatty acid composition and content under varying habitat conditions.


Author(s):  
E.L. Turina ◽  
◽  
S.G. Efimenko ◽  
Yu.A. Kornev ◽  
A.P. Liksutina ◽  
...  

Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz – is an annual oilseed crop in the family Brassicaceae. The aim of the research was to study oil obtained from camelina seeds cultivated in the Crimea. Determination of fatty acid composition was carried out on the gas chromatograph “Хроматэк – Кристалл 5000” (Hromatek - Crystal 5000); automatic dosing unit ДАЖ-2М (DAJ- 2M); capillary column SolGelWax 30m × 0.25 mm × 0.5 μm; carrier gas – helium; speed – 22 centimeters per second; programming temperature –178–230 °С. The preparation of fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) using gas-liquid chromatography (GC) was performed in line with the methodology. The content of biologically active substances (tocopherols) in Camelina sativa oil was carried out using thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and spectroscopy. To obtain biofuel, we used the transesterification of triglyceride (or triacylglycerols) of camelina oil with methyl alcohol using potassium hydroxide (or sodium) as a homogeneous catalyst, as well as active metal oxides or enzymes (regiospecific lipase) as heterogeneous catalysts. Camelina sativa oil, obtained from false flax cultivated in the Crimea, should be used, first of all, to ensure healthy, dietary and therapeutic nutrition of the locals and tourists. Since, depending on the variety and the amount of precipitation, it contains 17.89-19.66% of linoleic acid; 33.02-37.06% of linolenic acid; not more than 3.05% of erucic acid. Furthermore, the ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acids varies from 1.7: 1.0 to 2.2: 1.0 even in wet years. The oil from the winter camelina seeds (‘Penzyak’ variety) in its composition and properties is suitable for the synthesis of biodiesel by the methanolysis reaction using a homogeneous alkaline catalyst. The physical and chemical properties of the obtained biodiesel are similar to those of sunflower or rapeseed oils.


Water ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (12) ◽  
pp. 3336
Author(s):  
Saray Gutiérrez-Gordillo ◽  
Leontina Lipan ◽  
Víctor Hugo Durán Zuazo ◽  
Esther Sendra ◽  
Francisca Hernández ◽  
...  

The Mediterranean region is one of the most water-scarce areas worldwide and is considered a climate-change hotspot. To assure the viability and competitiveness of irrigated agriculture, it is vital to implement strategies that can maximize water saving without compromising yield. Deficit irrigation (DI) for cultivating drought-tolerant species such as almond (Prunus dulcis (Mill.) D.A. Webb) can help in achieving this goal, while at the same time improving fruit chemical composition. This work evaluated the effect of DI techniques and cultivars on the chemical composition of almonds (cvs. Marta, Guara, and Lauranne) in order to elucidate the most suitable irrigation dose under water-scarcity scenarios. Three irrigation regimes were imposed: a control treatment (FI), which was fully irrigated, receiving 100% of the irrigation requirement (IR), and two sustained-deficit irrigation (SDI) strategies that received 75% (SDI75) and 65% (SDI65) of IR. Significant differences among cultivars and irrigation treatments were observed for antioxidant activity and organic acid, sugar, and fatty acid content, which were increased by the SDI strategies. In addition, highly significant correlations were found between leaf-water potential and components such as fumaric acid, sugars, and fatty acids. In terms of the cultivars, cv. Marta showed the highest antioxidant activity, cv. Guara was the richest in organic acids, and cv. Lauranne had the highest fatty acid content. Consequently, SDI strategies improved almond quality parameters related to their nutritional and sensory composition, with significant water savings (reductions of 25–35%) and without important yield loss.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jyoti R. Behera ◽  
Md. Mahbubur Rahman ◽  
Shina Bhatia ◽  
Jay Shockey ◽  
Aruna Kilaru

WRINKLED1 (WRI1), a member of the APETALA2 (AP2) class of transcription factors regulates fatty acid biosynthesis and triacylglycerol (TAG) accumulation in plants. Among the four known Arabidopsis WRI1 paralogs, only WRI2 was unable to complement and restore fatty acid content in wri1-1 mutant seeds. Avocado (Persea americana) mesocarp, which accumulates 60-70% dry weight oil content, showed high expression levels for orthologs of WRI2, along with WRI1 and WRI3, during fruit development. While the role of WRI1 as a master regulator of oil biosynthesis is well-established, the function of WRI1 paralogs is poorly understood. Comprehensive and comparative in silico analyses of WRI1 paralogs from avocado (a basal angiosperm) with higher angiosperms Arabidopsis (dicot), maize (monocot) revealed distinct features. Predictive structural analyses of the WRI orthologs from these three species revealed the presence of AP2 domains and other highly conserved features, such as intrinsically disordered regions associated with predicted PEST motifs and phosphorylation sites. Additionally, avocado WRI proteins also contained distinct features that were absent in the nonfunctional Arabidopsis ortholog AtWRI2. Through transient expression assays, we demonstrated that both avocado WRI1 and WRI2 are functional and drive TAG accumulation in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves. We predict that the unique features and activities of ancestral PaWRI2 were likely lost in orthologous genes such as AtWRI2 during evolution and speciation, leading to at least partial loss of function in some higher eudicots. This study provides us with new targets to enhance oil biosynthesis in plants.


Biologia ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 63 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wided Ben Ammar ◽  
Issam Nouairi ◽  
Mokhtar Zarrouk ◽  
Fatma Jemal

AbstractThis research aims to examine the effect of cadmium uptake on lipid composition and fatty acid biosynthesis, in young leaves of tomato treated seedlings (Lycopersicon esculentum cv. Ibiza F1). Results in membrane lipids investigations revealed that high cadmium concentrations affect the main lipid classes, leading to strong changes in their composition and fatty acid content. Thus, the exposure of tomato plants to cadmium caused a concentration-related decrease in the unsaturated fatty acid content, resulting in a lower degree of fatty acid unsaturation. The level of lipid peroxides was significantly enhanced at high Cd concentrations. Studies of the lipid metabolism using radioactive labelling with [1-14C]acetate as a major precursor of lipid biosynthesis, showed that levels of radioactivity incorporation in total lipids as well as in all lipid classes were lowered by Cd doses. In total lipid fatty acids, [1-14C]acetate incorporation was reduced in tri-unsaturated fatty acids (C16:3 and C18:3); While it was enhanced in the palmitic (C16:0), palmitoleic (C16:1), stearic (C18:0) and linoleic (C18:2) acids. [1-14C]acetate incorporation into C16:3 and C18:3 of galactolipids [monogalactosyldiacylglycerol (MGDG) and digalactosyldiacylglycerol (DGDG)] and some phospholipids [phosphatidylcholine (PC) and phosphatidylglycerol (PG)] was inhibited by Cd stress. Our results showed that in tomato plants, cadmium stress provoked an inhibition of polar lipid biosynthesis and reduced fatty acid desaturation process.


2015 ◽  
Vol 34 (9) ◽  
pp. 1489-1498 ◽  
Author(s):  
Won Park ◽  
Yufeng Feng ◽  
Hyojin Kim ◽  
Mi Chung Suh ◽  
Sung-Ju Ahn

2014 ◽  
Vol 27 (5) ◽  
pp. 415-423 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jun Wang ◽  
Katalin Tóth ◽  
Kiwamu Tanaka ◽  
Cuong T. Nguyen ◽  
Zhe Yan ◽  
...  

Legumes (members of family Fabaceae) establish a symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing soil bacteria (rhizobia) to overcome nitrogen source limitation. Single root hair epidermal cells serve as the entry point for bacteria to infect the host root, leading to development of a new organ, the nodule, which the bacteria colonize. In the present study, the putative role of a soybean acyl carrier protein (ACP), GmACP (Glyma18g47950), was examined in nodulation. ACP represent an essential cofactor protein in fatty acid biosynthesis. Phylogenetic analysis of plant ACP protein sequences showed that GmACP was classified in a legume-specific clade. Quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis demonstrated that GmACP was expressed in all soybean tissues but showed higher transcript accumulation in nodule tissue. RNA interference-mediated gene silencing of GmACP resulted in a significant reduction in nodule numbers on soybean transgenic roots. Fluorescent protein-labeled GmACP was localized to plastids in planta, the site of de novo fatty acid biosynthesis in plants. Analysis of the fatty acid content of root tissue silenced for GmACP expression, as determined by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, showed an approximately 22% reduction, specifically in palmitic and stearic acid. Taken together, our data provide evidence that GmACP plays an important role in nodulation.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 262-270
Author(s):  
Rajesh Devisetti ◽  
Jamuna Prakash

The nutrient, fatty acid, and antinutrient composition of chickpea and cowpea obtained from organic (org) source and subjected to germination were evaluated in comparison with non-organic (n-org) counterpart. Fat content (range, 2.04-5.89 %) of n-org legumes were higher. Germination significantly reduced the fat content in cowpea, though in chickpea no difference was seen, whereas, for ash and protein, it was vice versa. Dietary fiber content differed significantly between org (22.82 %) and n-org (20.23 %) chickpea. Mineral contents of org chickpea and n-org cowpea were higher. Germination significantly reduced the mineral content, except for copper and phosphorous. Differences in the fatty acid content of org and n-org samples were observed. Linoleic acid was the predominant fatty acid in chickpea (58.88-62.75 %) and cowpea (36.08-40.43 %). In cowpea, germination significantly decreased the palmitic and α-linoleic acid and increased stearic, oleic, and linoleic acids whereas, in chickpea, no differences were seen. The TPUFA content was higher in germinated cowpea, whereas in chickpea it was unchanged. The enzyme activity (phytase, amylase, and protease) increased significantly upon germination and no significant differences between org and n-org legumes were observed. Phytic acid (PA) and saponin content of the org legumes was lower than n-org. Germination significantly reduced the PA content. The molar ratios of PA: minerals significantly improved upon germination indicating a better availability of iron and calcium. Significant differences between org and n-org legumes were observed, but no particular trend was seen to prove that org legumes are better in nutritional quality than n-org legumes.


1998 ◽  
Vol 180 (19) ◽  
pp. 5269-5272 ◽  
Author(s):  
Geoffrey Bartholomeusz ◽  
Yanglong Zhu ◽  
John Downard

ABSTRACT We compared the cellular fatty acid profiles of Myxococcus xanthus cells grown in either a Casitone-based complex medium or a chemically defined medium. The cells grown in the complex medium had a much higher content of the abundant branched-chain fatty acidiso-15:0 and several other branched-chain species. The higher branched-chain fatty acid content of the cells grown in the complex medium was dependent on the esg locus, which encodes the E1α and E1β components of a branched-chain keto acid dehydrogenase (BCKAD) multienzyme complex involved in branched-chain fatty acid biosynthesis. Cells grown in the complex medium were also found to have a higher level of esg transcription and more BCKAD enzyme activity than cells from the chemically defined medium. The level of esg transcription appears to be an important factor in the growth medium-dependent regulation of the M. xanthus branched-chain fatty acid content.


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