Manipulation of SNF1 kinase for altered oil content in oleaginous organisms

US8435758B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• E.I. DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY · US

Inventors

• Seung-Pyo Hong · Hockessin, US
• Quinn Qun Zhu · West Chester, US
• John E. Seip · Alloway, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 28, 2009
• Grant date: May 7, 2013
• Expiry date: May 18, 2031

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C12P7/6463
• WIPO field: Biotechnology
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

Methods of increasing the total lipid content in a eukaryotic cell, the total content of polyunsaturated fatty acids [“PUFAs”], and/or the ratio of desaturated fatty acids to saturated fatty acids by reducing the activity of the heterotrimeric SNF1 protein kinase are disclosed. Preferably, the chromosomal genes encoding the Snf1 α-subunit, Gal83 β-subunit or Snf4 γ-subunit of the SNF1 protein kinase, the upstream regulatory genes encoding Sak1, Hxk2, Glk1 or Reg1, or the downstream genes encoding Rme1, Cbr1 or Snf3 are manipulated in a PUFA-producing strain of the oleaginous yeast Yarrowia lipolytica, resulting in increased total lipid content, as compared to the parent strain comprising the heterotrimeric SNF1 protein kinase not having reduced activity.