Method for the production of polyunsaturated fatty acids

US7714185B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The University of Bristol · GB

Inventors

• Jonathan A. Napier · Maidstone, GB
• Olga Sayanova · St Albans, GB
• Colin M. Lazarus · Bristol, GB
• Baoxiu Qi · Bath, GB
• Ernst Heinz · Hamburg, DE
• Thorsten Zank · Mannheim, DE
• Ulrich Zähringer · Kellinghusen, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 11, 2003
• Grant date: May 11, 2010
• Expiry date: Dec 11, 2023

Classification

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

Abstract

The present invention relates to an improved process for the specific production of poly-unsaturated omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids and a process for the production of triglycerides having an increased content of unsaturated fatty acids, in particular omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids having at least two double bonds and a 20 or 22 carbon atom chain length. The invention relates to the production of a transgenic organism, preferably a transgenic plant or a transgenic microorganism, hav-ing an increased content of fatty acids, oils or lipids containing C20- or C22-fatty acids with a delta-5, 7, 8, 10 double bond, respectively due to the expression of a delta-8-desaturase and a delta-9-elon-gase from organisms such as plants preferably Algae like Isochrysis galbana or Euglena gracilis. In addition the invention relates to a process for the production of poly unsaturated fatty acids such as Eicosapentaenoic, Arachidonic, Docosapentaenoic or Doosahexaenoic acid through the co-expression of a delta-8-desaturase, a delta-9-elongase and a delta-5 desaturase in organisms such as microorganisms or plants. The invention additionally relates to the use of specific nucleic acid sequences encodi…