Abstract：GDSL gene family is featured with a conserved GDSL motif at N' terminus and encode a variety of lipases that exist in various species from prokaryotic to eukaryotic. GDSL gene family in plant consists of a wide range of members that exhibit structural and functional divergences, playing important roles in plant physiological processes including development, stress response and lipid metabolism. In this review, we summarize the previous literatures about plant GDSL genes, with respects of their structural divergences, classification, evolutional changes, expression and functions. In particular, here we report our recent findings regarding to the role of some GDSL genes in seed fatty acid accumulation of oilseeds.
