Functional characterization of BnLACS4 (Brassica napus long chain acyl-coenzyme a synthetase 4), which enhances the yeast neutral lipid content
Xiaoli Tan，Xiangfeng Zheng,  Zhiyan Zhang,  Zheng Wang,  Shoulai Gu

Institute of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, China

Abstract
Long-chain acyl-Coenzyme A (CoA) synthetases (LACSs) catalyze the formation of long-chain acyl-CoA which play important roles in fatty acid metabolism, including phospholipids, triacylglycerol (TAG) biosynthesis and fatty acid β-oxidation. Here we report the characterization of a LACS gene from Brassica napus. It is highly homologous to Arabidopsis LACS4 and thus designated as BnLACS4. BnLACS4 is mainly expressed in flowers and developing seeds where lipid biosynthesis is at high rate in Brassica napus. When transiently expressed in tobacco leaves, BnLACS4 is localized in endoplasmic reticulum (ER), the common site for eukaryotic pathway of lipid biosynthesis. BnLACS4 could complement a LACS-deficient yeast strain YB525. Expression of BnLACS4 in the yeast strain pep4 increased its neutral lipid content. Taken together, our results suggest that BnLACS4 may be involved in lipid biosynthesis in Brassica napus.

Keywords: Brassica napus, LACS, Lipid, Subcellular localization, Yeast.