Lipid catabolism in microalgae.

Lipid degradation processes are important in microalgae because survival and growth of microalgal cells under fluctuating environmental conditions require permanent remodeling or turnover of membrane lipids as well as rapid mobilization of storage lipids. Lipid catabolism comprises two major spatially and temporarily separated steps, namely lipolysis, which releases fatty acids and head groups and is catalyzed by lipases at membranes or lipid droplets, and degradation of fatty acids to acetyl-CoA, which occurs in peroxisomes through the β-oxidation pathway in green microalgae, and can sometimes occur in mitochondria in some other algal species. Here we review the current knowledge on the enzymes and regulatory proteins involved in lipolysis and peroxisomal β-oxidation and highlight gaps in our understanding of lipid degradation pathways in microalgae.

Applicability of mitochondrial DNA for the identification of Arvicolid species from faecal samples: a case study from the threatened Cabrera's vole.

Arvicolid mitochondrial genomes evolve faster than in any other mammalian lineage. The genetic diversity exhibited by these rodents contrasts sharply with their phenotypic homogeneity. Furthermore, faecal droppings from Arvicolid rodents of similar body size are almost undistinguishable on the basis of pellet morphology and content.