Incorporation, fate, and turnover of free fatty acids in cyanobacteria

• Type: Another Publication in an International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2023

Authors

Kahn, A (Author) Other; Oliveira, P (Author) FCUP; Cuau, M (Author) Other; Pedro N Leao (Author) Other

Journal

Title: FEMS Microbiology Reviews

Vol. 47

ISSN: 0168-6445

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 0 Citations

Scopus - 6 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00Y-ATH

DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fuad015

Abstract (EN): Fatty acids are important molecules in bioenergetics and also in industry. The phylum cyanobacteria consists of a group of prokaryotes that typically carry out oxygenic photosynthesis with water as an electron donor and use carbon dioxide as a carbon source to generate a range of biomolecules, including fatty acids. They are also able to import exogenous free fatty acids and direct them to biosynthetic pathways. Here, we review current knowledge on mechanisms and regulation of free fatty acid transport into cyanobacterial cells, their subsequent activation and use in the synthesis of fatty acid-containing biomolecules such as glycolipids and alka(e)nes, as well as recycling of free fatty acids derived from such molecules. This review also covers efforts in the engineering of such cyanobacterial fatty acid-associated pathways en route to optimized biofuel production. Free fatty acids are ubiquitous in the environment. They can be imported, metabolized into different products, and secreted by microorganisms, including cyanobacteria. We piece together an overview of the different paths that free fatty acids can take upon entering cyanobacterial cells.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 19