[Yuki Nakamura] A new role of plant oil TAG in reproduction
POST:
Triacylglycerol (TAG) is the major oil content in seeds that are useful for biofuel production. However, the role of TAG in developmental control is poorly investigated. The research team led by Dr. Nakamura showed that TAG production is crucial for successful pollen tube growth. Furthermore, the substrate of TAG synthesis is provided by membrane phospholipids with a new class of phospholipase C, NPC2 and NPC6, whose bacterial orthologs are toxin. Thus, the work revealed a new function of industrially important plant oil produced by a distinct set of enzymes that is essential for plant fertility.