Lipid remodeling in leaves under nutrient stress conditions

Abstract

Triacylglycerol (TAG) is a form of plant oils which is used for food, industrial feedstock and the production of biofuel, but low yield of oil crops and limited available land prevent us from increasing the contribution to the world fuel economy. Although TAG is harvested from the seeds or fruits of oil crops, small amounts of TAG can be accumulated in the leaves and roots in plants. Producing high amounts of TAG in leaves or vegetative tissues enables us to utilize leaves of high biomass crops as a resource of TAG. Here we show that leaf TAG levels can be increased under certain nutrient stress conditions.