| Abstract | The biochemical capacity of microspore-derived embryos of Brassica napus and other Brassicaceae for the synthesis and accumulation of triacylglycerols and oleosins is reviewed and compared with the data available for the corresponding zygotic embryos. The results of this comparison reveal that microspore-derived embryos of Brassicaceae synthesize and elongate fatty acids virtually in the same manner as known for zygotic embryos. In both microspore-derived and zygotic embryos the Kennedy pathway is operative for the assembly of triacylglycerols. These storage lipids are accumulated in oil bodies together with lipophilic proteins (oleosins). Because of the ease of production and handling, microspore-derived embryos, rather than zygotic embryos, may be exploited as attractive alternatives in both biochemical studies and biotechnology programs for the improvement of oilseed cultivars and development of novel oilseed crops. |
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