Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms for Lipid Synthesis and Accumulation in Microalgae: Biotechnological Implications

Abstract

Many microalgae have the ability to synthesize and accumulate large amounts of lipids, especially storage neutral lipids, mainly in the form of triacylglycerol (TAG) under environmental stress conditions. TAG and other classes of lipids can be used for fuels, chemicals, and nutraceuticals. This chapter provides the recent progress made in our understanding of the lipid metabolism in eukaryotic microalgae, particularly the function and regulation of the genes and pathways responsible for TAG biosynthesis and the molecular and cellular mechanisms of accumulation of TAG into lipid bodies. Examples of genetic manipulation of the key genes involved in lipid synthesis for strain improvement and the use of lipid metabolism enzymes for potential industrial applications are provided.