Functional Analysis of Avocado DGAT1 and PDAT1 in Physcomitrium patens for Triacylglycerol Biosynthesis
Abstract
Increasing oil production is a major challenge for global agriculture, driven by growing demand for edible oils and biodiesel and by interest in alternative systems for cellular agriculture. Triacylglycerols (TAGs) are the primary storage lipids in plant oils and are synthesized through the final acylation of diacylglycerol (DAG), catalyzed by acyl-CoA:diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DGAT) and phospholipid:diacylglycerol acyltransferase (PDAT). This study evaluates the moss Physcomitrium patens as an alternative plant-based system for oil production by heterologous expression of avocado (Persea americana) TAG biosynthesis genes PaDGAT1 and PaPDAT1. Cloning of PaDGAT1 and PaPDAT1 into Gateway-compatible expression vectors is underway. The genes will be introduced into P. patens protoplasts via PEG-mediated transformation to generate stable transgenic lines. Total lipids will be extracted from wild-type and transgenic gametophores and analyzed using chromatographic techniques to quantify TAG content and determine lipid composition. Wild-type moss is expected to show negligible TAG accumulation, providing a baseline for direct comparison with transgenic lines expressing PaDGAT1 and PaPDAT1. TAG levels and fatty acid profiles in wild-type and transgenic plants will be evaluated to assess both the functional contribution of avocado DGAT and PDAT enzymes and the broader suitability of P. patens as a tractable, scalable platform for oil biosynthesis. This work aims to establish proof of concept for using moss-based systems to complement conventional oil-producing crops.
Start Time
15-4-2026 1:30 PM
End Time
15-4-2026 4:30 PM
Room Number
Culp Ballroom 316
Presentation Type
Poster
Presentation Subtype
Posters - Competitive
Presentation Category
Science, Technology, and Engineering
Student Type
Graduate and Professional Degree Students, Residents, Fellows
Faculty Mentor
Aruna Kilaru
Functional Analysis of Avocado DGAT1 and PDAT1 in Physcomitrium patens for Triacylglycerol Biosynthesis
Culp Ballroom 316
Increasing oil production is a major challenge for global agriculture, driven by growing demand for edible oils and biodiesel and by interest in alternative systems for cellular agriculture. Triacylglycerols (TAGs) are the primary storage lipids in plant oils and are synthesized through the final acylation of diacylglycerol (DAG), catalyzed by acyl-CoA:diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DGAT) and phospholipid:diacylglycerol acyltransferase (PDAT). This study evaluates the moss Physcomitrium patens as an alternative plant-based system for oil production by heterologous expression of avocado (Persea americana) TAG biosynthesis genes PaDGAT1 and PaPDAT1. Cloning of PaDGAT1 and PaPDAT1 into Gateway-compatible expression vectors is underway. The genes will be introduced into P. patens protoplasts via PEG-mediated transformation to generate stable transgenic lines. Total lipids will be extracted from wild-type and transgenic gametophores and analyzed using chromatographic techniques to quantify TAG content and determine lipid composition. Wild-type moss is expected to show negligible TAG accumulation, providing a baseline for direct comparison with transgenic lines expressing PaDGAT1 and PaPDAT1. TAG levels and fatty acid profiles in wild-type and transgenic plants will be evaluated to assess both the functional contribution of avocado DGAT and PDAT enzymes and the broader suitability of P. patens as a tractable, scalable platform for oil biosynthesis. This work aims to establish proof of concept for using moss-based systems to complement conventional oil-producing crops.
