Hence, the acyltransferase capacity helps to
facilitate the “venting” of large amounts of triacylglycerol into lipid
droplets into the cytosol of mesocarp cells (triacylglycerol accumulates
to 88% dry weightin oil palm versus less than 1% in date palm).
Certainly there are proteins yet to be identified that contribute to
lipid droplet packaging (since oleosins are not expressed in most
non-seed tissues), and these mechanisms will need to be considered
when attempting to engineer large amounts of triacylglycerol
in leaf tissues. In addition, redirecting carbon flux from carbohydrate
to fatty acid synthesis in leaves must consider that leaves are
source tissues that are specialized in carbon production and export,
unlike seeds or oleaginous fruits that are sink tissues specialized in
efficient carbon import and utilization.