High contents of very long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in different moss species

30.10.2014

Beike AK, Jaeger C, Zink F, Decker EL, Reski R.

Plant Cell Rep 2014;33(2):245-54

Plant Cell Rep.        online article

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are signalling compounds with manifold functions and significance for human health. We report on high amounts of very long-chain PUFAs like arachidonic acid in seven moss species established in axenic in vitro culture. Gene expression and metabolite profiles revealed tissue-specific characteristics in Physcomitrella patens. Standardized cultivation techniques enable targeted metabolic engineering using mosses as model organisms in synthetic biology.