Characterization of the AMP-binding protein gene family in Arabidopsis thaliana: will the real acyl-CoA synthetases please stand up?

One of the most prominent and important topics in modern agricultural biote chnology is the manipulation of oilseed triacylglycerol composition. Toward s this goal, we have sought to identify and characterize acyl-CoA synthetas es (ACSs), which play an important role in both de novo synthesis and modif ication of existing lipids. We have identified and cloned 20 different gene s that bear strong sequence homology to known ACSs from other organisms. Th rough sequence comparisons and functional characterization, we have identif ied several members of this group that encode ACSs, while the other genes f all into the broader category of genes for AMP-binding proteins (AMPBPs). D istinguishing ACSs from AMPBPs will simplify our efforts to understand the role of ACS in triacylglycerol metabolism.