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Regulating triacylglycerol cycling for high-efficiency production of polyunsaturated fatty acids and derivatives

Author

Listed:
  • Fei Du

    (Nanjing Normal University
    Nanjing Normal University)

  • Qing Xu

    (Nanjing Normal University
    Nanjing Normal University)

  • Xin Li

    (Nanjing Normal University)

  • Yiwen Hang

    (Nanjing Normal University)

  • Duoduo Zhang

    (Nanjing Normal University)

  • Feng Zhang

    (Nanjing Normal University)

  • Wang Ma

    (Nanjing Normal University)

  • Xiaoman Sun

    (Nanjing Normal University
    Nanjing Normal University)

  • He Huang

    (Nanjing Normal University
    Nanjing Normal University)

Abstract

Lipid degradation is generally considered an antagonistic pathway to lipid synthesis, so this pathway is often removed to improve lipid production. In this study, triacylglycerol (TAG) cycling formed by lipid degradation is found to be crucial for long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) biosynthesis; this result contradicts the notion that lipid degradation is a useless process. Specifically, we demonstrate that TAG cycling promoting PUFA biosynthesis occurred in Yarrowia lipolytica and Mortierella alpina via the desaturase/elongase pathway but not in Schizochytrium sp. with the polyketide synthase (PKS) pathway. Exploiting the TAG cycling mechanism, a strategy of decoupling the TAG biosynthesis and degradation is developed. Using this strategy, the titers of C20:5, C22:5 and prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) in Y. lipolytica are improved by 116.2%, 99.4% and 41.7%, respectively. Our findings highlight the potential of the TAG cycling for related biochemical synthesis in the construction of excellent oleaginous engineered strains.

Suggested Citation

  • Fei Du & Qing Xu & Xin Li & Yiwen Hang & Duoduo Zhang & Feng Zhang & Wang Ma & Xiaoman Sun & He Huang, 2025. "Regulating triacylglycerol cycling for high-efficiency production of polyunsaturated fatty acids and derivatives," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-12, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-59599-0
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-59599-0
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jan Gajewski & Renata Pavlovic & Manuel Fischer & Eckhard Boles & Martin Grininger, 2017. "Engineering fungal de novo fatty acid synthesis for short chain fatty acid production," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 8(1), pages 1-8, April.
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    3. Sajjadi, Baharak & Chen, Wei-Yin & Raman, Abdul. Aziz. Abdul & Ibrahim, Shaliza, 2018. "Microalgae lipid and biomass for biofuel production: A comprehensive review on lipid enhancement strategies and their effects on fatty acid composition," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 97(C), pages 200-232.
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