[REVIEW] Deciphering key proteins of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) fruit mesocarp development by proteomics and chemometrics

The main objectives of the study in the provided paper are to decipher the key proteins involved in the development of the oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) fruit mesocarp. This is done through a proteomics approach that combines gel-based electrophoresis and mass spectrometry to profile the changes in proteins and classify their accumulation patterns during the fruit ripening process. The researchers aim to better understand the systemic mechanisms governing oil synthesis during fruit development and to identify proteins that could potentially be targeted to improve oil yield.

The hypothesis likely revolves around the idea that specific proteins are differentially expressed during the fruit ripening stages, which influence the biosynthesis of lipids and other related metabolic processes critical to oil production.

 

The study by Hassan et al. (2018) on oil palm mesocarp development used proteomics and chemometrics to analyze protein changes during fruit ripening. Key findings include:

 

1. Proteins Identified: 68 differentially expressed protein spots were identified, mainly involved in lipid metabolism, energy production, secondary metabolites, and amino acid metabolism.

  

2. Fruit Ripening Phases: Protein changes were profiled across 10, 12, 14, 15, 16, 18, and 20 weeks after anthesis (WAA). The highest protein activity related to lipid synthesis occurred at 14 WAA, while different proteins peaked at later ripening stages.

 

3. Key Enzymes: Enzymes such as enoyl-ACP reductases (ENR) and 3-oxoacyl-ACP reductases (KAR), crucial for fatty acid biosynthesis, were strongly upregulated during ripening, highlighting their role in lipid accumulation.

 

4. Energy and Stress Response: Significant changes were observed in proteins linked to energy production (glycolysis, TCA cycle) and stress response, with a large number of stress-related proteins such as peroxiredoxin and superoxide dismutase being expressed during development.

 

5. Potential for Oil Yield Improvement: The study identifies key protein candidates for oil yield enhancement, providing insights into oil biosynthesis mechanisms and the potential for biomarker development in oil palm breeding.