Fatty acid synthesis is required for several diverse roles in plants including an essential housekeeping function in the synthesis of membranes in every cell, and specialized developmental and organ-specific functions in the production of seed storage oils and surface protective waxes. The long term goal of this project is to understand how plants regulate fatty acid biosynthesis at both biochemical and gene expression levels to meet these diverse roles. This research provides information on three fronts: 1. Identification of the rate determining/regulatory steps which provide short term control over rates of fatty acid synthesis. 2. Examination of the structure, organization and regulation of fatty acid synthase (FAS) genes is to be done using acyl carrier protein (ACP) as a model. 3. Evaluation will be made of the possible physiological role of multiple ACP isoforms by over-expression of their genes and antisense inhibition of their expression in transgenic plants. In addition to their major role in the structure and function of all cell membranes, plant fats represent a vast renewable resource. Annual world production of plant oils is approximately 60 million metric tons with a value of more than $20 billion. In the U.S., about two-thirds of all plant oil is consumed by humans and animals. In the American diet, plant oils have gradually tended to replace animal fats and now accout for 15-20% of total calories consumed. In addition, plant oils are employed in the manufacture of a range of specialty products including lubricants, plastics and detergents. Despite the major economic and nutritional significance of plant fats, there has been comparatively little research into the regulation of their biosynthesis. This research investigates the expression of certain genes required for fat synthesis by plants as well as points of metabolic control in one specific case.***//
