Cao Rui¹ , Yichen Zhao¹ , Degang Zhao^1,2

1 The Key Laboratory of Plant Resources Conservation and Germplasm Innovation in Mountainous Region (Ministry of Education), College of Tea Sciences/Institute of AgroBioengineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, China
2 Plant Conservation & Breeding Technology Center, Guizhou Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biotechnology/ Biotechnology Institute of Guizhou Province, Guizhou Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guiyang, 550006, China
Author    Correspondence author
Biological Evidence, 2024, Vol. 14, No. 5   doi: 10.5376/be.2024.14.0022
Received: 27 Jul., 2024    Accepted: 02 Sep., 2024    Published: 16 Sep., 2024

This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Rui C., Zhao Y.C., and Zhao D.G., 2024, Biosynthesis of α-llinolenic acid in Eucommia ulmoides: a comprehensive review, Bioscience Evidence, 14(5): 206-217 (doi: 10.5376/be.2024.14.0022)

α-Linolenic acid (ALA) is an essential ω-3 fatty acid that plays a crucial role in cardiovascular function, anti-inflammatory processes, and metabolic regulation. Eucommia ulmoides, a kand of Chinese tranditional medicinal plant with a very high ALA content, is the focus of this comprehensive review on ALA biosynthesis. The study explores the key biochemical pathways involved in ALA production, emphasizing the roles of dehydrogenases and elongases, as well as the gene regulatory mechanisms, including transcription factors and epigenetic modifications. The genetic basis of ALA biosynthesis is also analyzed, identifying key genes and molecular markers associated with ALA traits. Furthermore, the study reviews chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques used for ALA detection, along with modern molecular biological methods. Case studies on the genetic engineering of Eucommia ulmoides to enhance ALA yield provide practical insights for application. This study addresses the current challenges and future directions in ALA research, offering theoretical foundations and reference guidance for related studies in the fields of genetics and biochemistry.

α-linolenic acid; Eucommia ulmoides; Biosynthesis; Omega-3 fatty acids; Genetic engineering