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Triacylglycerols in prokaryotic microorganisms
1Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia San Juan Bosco, (CC 1078) Km 4, 9000 Comodoro Rivadavia, Argentina. halvarez@unpata.edu.ar
Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology
|December 6, 2002
Summary
Triacylglycerols (TAG) are energy storage molecules found in many organisms. Bacterial TAG accumulation, particularly in actinomycetes, is significant and has diverse applications.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Biochemistry
- Lipid Metabolism
Background:
- Triacylglycerols (TAG) are glycerol esters of fatty acids, common in eukaryotes but rarely described in bacteria.
- TAG accumulation is widespread in actinomycetes (e.g., Mycobacterium, Streptomyces, Rhodococcus), with Rhodococcus opacus PD630 storing up to 87% of cellular dry weight as TAG.
- Bacterial TAG biosynthesis and accumulation are mainly restricted to actinomycetes, though observed to a lesser extent in other bacteria.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the occurrence, composition, and function of Triacylglycerols (TAG) in bacteria.
- To investigate the oleaginous status of bacteria, particularly within the actinomycetes group.
- To review recent findings on the physiology, biochemistry, and molecular biology of bacterial TAG accumulation.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of fatty acid composition in bacterial acylglycerols.
- Characterization of Triacylglycerol (TAG) structures and variations.
- Review of physiological and biochemical studies on bacterial lipid metabolism.
Main Results:
- Bacterial TAG composition and structure vary significantly based on the microorganism and carbon source.
- Unusual fatty acids, like phenyldecanoic acid, can be incorporated into bacterial TAG.
- TAG primarily function as reserve compounds, potentially regulating membrane fluidity and acting as sinks for reducing equivalents.
Conclusions:
- Bacterial Triacylglycerol (TAG) accumulation is a notable phenomenon, especially in actinomycetes, serving crucial physiological roles.
- The diverse compositions of bacterial TAG highlight unique metabolic capabilities.
- Bacterial TAG holds potential for nutritional, therapeutic, pharmaceutical, and oleochemical applications.