Over-expression of LPAAT gene in Phaeodactylum tricornutum enhances fatty acid accumulation and increases fatty acid chain length

To provide a potential method for improving microalgal lipid production, an over expression vector that expresses lysophosphatidic acid acyltransferase gene in Phaeodactylum tricornutum was constructed. Total fatty acid production incresed significantly in over-expression transformants and the length of fatty acids ranged from C14 to C22. The response to both lysophosphatidic acid acyltransferase over- and under-expression over the growth phase was also characterized. This study indicated a potential method to increase fatty acids accumulation in microalgae by employing a metabolic engineering approach.