Desaturase genes and uses thereof

US6635451B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Abbott Laboratories · US

Inventors

• Pradip Mukerji · Gahanna, US
• Yung-Sheng Huang · Upper Arlington, US
• Tapas Das · Worthington, US
• Jennifer Thurmond · Columbus, US
• Suzette L. Pereira · Westerville, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 25, 2001
• Grant date: Oct 21, 2003
• Expiry date: Jan 25, 2021

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C12P7/6472
• WIPO field: Pharmaceuticals
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

The subject invention relates to the identification of genes involved in the desaturation of polyunsaturated fatty acids at carbon 5 (i.e., “&Dgr;5-desaturase”) and at carbon 6 (i.e., “&Dgr;6-desaturase”) and to uses thereof. In particular, &Dgr;5-desaturase may be utilized, for example, in the conversion of dihomo-&ggr;-linolenic acid (DGLA) to arachidonic acid (AA) and in the conversion of 20:4n-3 to eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). Delta-6 desaturase may be used, for example, in the conversion of linoleic (LA) to &ggr;-linolenic acid (GLA). AA or polyunsaturated fatty acids produced therefrom may be added to pharmaceutical compositions, nutritional compositions, animal feeds, as well as other products such as cosmetics.