Diacylglycerol acyltransferase and its use to preferentially incorporate fatty acids into diacylglycerol

US7195901B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture · US

Inventors

• Thomas A. McKeon · Richmond, US
• Xiaohua He · Richmond, US
• Jiann-Tsyh Lin · Danville, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 3, 2004
• Grant date: Mar 27, 2007
• Expiry date: Oct 26, 2024

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C12N15/8247
• WIPO field: Biotechnology
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

The gene for the diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DGAT) from Ricinus communis L., the castor plant, has been isolated, cloned, and used to transform other plants and micro-organisms. When the gene is expressed in a heterologous system, the corresponding DGAT protein is active and shows unusual and selective action for hydroxylated fatty acyl glycerides. DGAT carries out the final step in castor oil biosynthesis, and is believed to be largely responsible for many of the attributes of castor oil, making it an excellent candidate for industrial uses. This invention makes it possible to enhance the oil-producing capacity of other plants and micro-organisms.