DESATURASES AND METHODS OF USING THEM FOR SYNTHESIS OF POLYUNSATURATED FATTY ACIDS

摘要

The amino acid and nucleic acid sequences of a Δ5-desaturase enzyme and a Δ8-desaturase enzyme are disclosed. The nucleic acid sequences can be used to design recombinant DNA constructs and vectors. These vectors can then be used to transform various organisms, including for example, plants and yeast. The transformed organisms will then produce polyunsaturated fatty acids. The amino acid sequences are useful for generating enzyme-specific antibodies that are useful for identifying the desaturases.

主权项

1. A recombinant Δ8 fatty acid desaturase polypeptide that comprises all of:
i) a cytochrome b5-like domain; ii) three His-box motifs; and iii) at least three hydrophobic regions spanning a membrane layer twice;wherein the polypeptide:
has an amino acid sequence having at least 50% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 4; and is coded for by a recombinant nucleic acid molecule comprising a core region sequence amplifiable by polymerase chain reaction using the primers having the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 5 and SEQ ID NO: 6.