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

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.

Automated summary

Fatty acids are important molecules in bioenergetics and industry. Cyanobacteria, a group of prokaryotes, utilize oxygenic photosynthesis to generate various biomolecules including fatty acids. They can also import exogenous free fatty acids and incorporate them into biosynthetic pathways. This review summarizes the mechanisms and regulation of free fatty acid transport into cyanobacterial cells, their activation and utilization in the synthesis of fatty acid-containing biomolecules, and the recycling of free fatty acids derived from these molecules. It also discusses engineering efforts to optimize biofuel production through cyanobacterial fatty acid-associated pathways.