DELTA 6 DESATURASE FROM THRAUSTOCHYTRID & ITS USES THEREOF

摘要

The present invention is directed to an isolated delta-6 desaturase gene from Schizochytrium. It is further directed to the cloning of delta-6 desaturase derived from Schizochytrium in Yeast. The nucleic acid sequence and the amino acid sequences of the delta-6 desaturase are disclosed. Further disclosed are the constructs, vector comprising the gene encoding the enzyme delta-6 desaturase in functional combination with the heterologous regulatory sequences. The novel delta-6 desaturase can be used in a metabolic pathway to convert linoleic acid to gamma linolenic acid (omega-6 pathway). The invention provides the identification, isolation of these novel nucleic acids from Schizochytrium that encode the above-mentioned proteins. The invention specifically exemplifies recombinant yeast cells harboring the vector comprising the delta-6 desaturase gene and by the virtue of the enzyme produced shall be able to produce gamnia-linolenic acid.