Enzymes and methods for producing ω-3 fatty acids

US9976107B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignees

• COMMONWEALTH SCIENTIFIC AND INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH ORGANISATION · AU
• GRAINS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION · AU

Inventors

• James Robertson Petrie · Tarago, AU
• Anne Maree Mackenzie · Hawker, AU
• Qing Liu · Gungahlin, AU
• Pushkar Shrestha · Belconnen, AU
• Peter David Nichols · Hobart, AU
• Susan Irene Ellis Blackburn · Hobart, AU
• Maged Peter Mansour · Melbourne, AU
• Stanley Suresh Robert · Oyster Cove, AU
• Dion Matthew Frederick Frampton · Kingston, AU
• Xue-Rong Zhou · Belconnen, AU
• Surinder Pal Singh · North Canberra, AU
• Craig Christopher Wood · North Canberra, AU

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 27, 2017
• Grant date: May 22, 2018
• Expiry date: Jul 27, 2037

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C12Y602/01003
• WIPO field: Pharmaceuticals
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

The present invention relates to methods of synthesizing long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially eicosapentaenoic acid, docosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, in recombinant cells such as yeast or plant cells. Also provided are recombinant cells or plants which produce long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a group of new enzymes which possess desaturase or elongase activity that can be used in methods of synthesizing long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. In particular, the present invention provides ω3 destaurases, Δ5 elongases and Δ6 desaturases with novel activities. Also provided are methods and DNA constructs for transiently and/or stably transforming cells, particularly plant cells, with multiple genes.