Molecular Analysis of Plant Triacylglycerol Biosynthetic Enzymes

植物三酰甘油生物合成酶的分子分析

• 批准号: RGPIN-2016-06478
• 负责人: Lemieux, MaryJoanne
• 金额: $ 2.4万
• 依托单位: University of Alberta
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2018
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2018-01-01 至 2019-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=657188
• 关键词: Molecular; Analysis; Plant; Triacylglycerol; Biosynthetic

Canola oil is made in the seed of the canola plant Brassica napus. Besides being a valuable food source, canola oil is part of a large agricultural industry that contributes to Canada's economy over 19 billion dollars annually. Our long term goals are to enhance the oil quantity and quality in the canola plant. Proteins located in the membranes of cells make canola oil. These proteins are enzymes that work together to make fats including triacyglycerol (TAG), a predominant fat in canola oil. In this research program, the last protein in pathway toward TAG production, Brassica napus DGAT1, will be studied in detail to gain insight into its function. To understand precisely how TAG, the main fat in canola, is generated, we require a molecular understanding of the protein that makes canola oil. Our research lab has expertise in determining the three-dimensional structure of proteins. A structure will allow us to examine the part(s) of the protein that carries out the function of producing TAG. In order to generate large quantities, we have expressed the canola plant DGAT1 protein in yeast. With this protein, we have determined that it produces fats similar to that found in the canola plant. This protein will be crystallized in order to see its three-dimensional structure. Its structural determination will require the use of X-ray exposure to the crystals. Structures will be sought both in the absence and presence of fat substrates. Once we can see the overall shape and details of the protein involved in canola oil production, we can then design protein that makes more canola oil or has preferences for unsaturated fat, a desired quality in food industry. This more efficient DGAT1 protein will be engineered in the canola plant, which will be assessed for canola oil production. Determining the structure of other TAG producing enzymes will also be conducted with the goals of influencing TAG production in canola plants. Future studies will focus on other enzymes in the TAG biosynthetic pathway. Overall, this study has the potential to improve the canola oil production in the seed of the canola plant, resulting in enhanced yield in the canola crops. This would have a strong effect on the canola crop industry and a strong economic advantage for Canada. This project will also contribute to the training of highly qualified personnel.**

油菜籽油是由油菜籽植物油菜籽制成的。除了是一种有价值的食物来源外，菜籽油还是加拿大大型农业产业的一部分，每年为加拿大经济贡献超过190亿美元。我们的长期目标是提高油菜植物的油的数量和质量。位于细胞膜中的蛋白质制造菜籽油。这些蛋白质是酶，它们共同作用产生脂肪，包括三酰甘油（TAG），这是菜籽油中的主要脂肪。在这项研究计划中，将详细研究TAG产生途径中的最后一个蛋白质，甘蓝型油菜DGAT 1，以了解其功能。为了准确地了解TAG（菜籽油中的主要脂肪）是如何产生的，我们需要对制造菜籽油的蛋白质进行分子理解。我们的研究实验室在确定蛋白质的三维结构方面具有专业知识。一个结构将允许我们检查蛋白质的部分，其执行产生TAG的功能。为了大量生产，我们在酵母中表达了卡诺拉植物DGAT 1蛋白。有了这种蛋白质，我们已经确定它产生的脂肪类似于油菜植物中发现的脂肪。这种蛋白质将被结晶，以查看其三维结构。它的结构测定将需要使用X射线暴露于晶体。将在不存在和存在脂肪基质的情况下寻找结构。一旦我们可以看到菜籽油生产中所涉及的蛋白质的整体形状和细节，我们就可以设计出能够生产更多菜籽油或偏好不饱和脂肪的蛋白质，这是食品工业中所需的质量。这种更有效的DGAT 1蛋白将在卡诺拉植物中进行工程改造，并将评估卡诺拉油的生产。确定其他TAG产生酶的结构也将以影响卡诺拉植物中的TAG产生为目标进行。未来的研究将集中在TAG生物合成途径中的其他酶。总的来说，这项研究有可能提高油菜植物种子中的油菜油产量，从而提高油菜作物的产量。这将对油菜作物产业产生重大影响，并为加拿大带来强大的经济优势。该项目还将有助于培训高素质的人员。