Abstract: The invention relates to processes for the production of unsaturated fatty acids, preferably of conjugated polyunsaturated fatty acids such as conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), by the recombinant expression of desaturases from insects of the order Lepidoptera. Expression preferably takes place in an organism selected from the group of the plant organisms, yeasts, fungi and algae. Also, according to the invention are recombinant expression cassettes for the recombinant expression of desaturases from insects of the order Lepidoptera, and the transgenic organisms transformed with these.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding a voltage-sensitive sodium channel (VSSC) of Musca domestica, the VSSC being capable of conferring insecticide susceptibility or insecticide resistance to Musca domestica, as well as to the isolated voltage-sensitive sodium channels of Musca domestica encoded thereby. Nucleic acid molecules encoding insecticide susceptible VSSCs and nucleic acid molecules encoding insecticide resistant VSSCs are provided. Methods for increasing or decreasing the expression of functional voltage-sensitive sodium channels in host cells are also provided, as well as methods using the sodium channels. Also provided is a method for isolating other voltage-sensitive sodium channels.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding a voltage-sensitive sodium channel (VSSC) of Musca domestica, the VSSC being capable of conferring insecticide susceptibility or insecticide resistance to Musca domestica, as well as to the isolated voltage-sensitive sodium channels of Musca domestica encoded thereby. Nucleic acid molecules encoding insecticide susceptible VSSCs and nucleic acid molecules encoding insecticide resistant VSSCs are provided. Methods for increasing or decreasing the expression of functional voltage-sensitive sodium channels in host cells are also provided, as well as methods using the sodium channels. Also provided is a method for isolating other voltage-sensitive sodium channels.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding a voltage-sensitive sodium channel (VSSC) of Musca domestica, the VSSC being capable of conferring insecticide susceptibility or insecticide resistance to Musca domestica, as well as to the isolated voltage-sensitive sodium channels of Musca domestica encoded thereby. Nucleic acid molecules encoding insecticide susceptible VSSCs and nucleic acid molecules encoding insecticide resistant VSSCs are provided. Methods for increasing or decreasing the expression of functional voltage-sensitive sodium channels in host cells are also provided, as well as methods using the sodium channels. Also provided is a method for isolating other voltage-sensitive sodium channels.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to isolated membrane-associated acyl-CoA desaturases expressed in the pheromone gland of an insect and, in particular, the .DELTA.11 desaturase of Trichoplusia ni. The present invention further relates to an isolated DNA molecule encoding the T. ni .DELTA.11 desaturase, expression vectors comprising the DNA molecule, and host cells comprising the expression vectors. Methods for isolating DNA sequences of homologous acyl-CoA desaturases expressed in the pheromone glands of insects are provided. The use of these acyl-CoA desaturases, DNA molecules, expression vectors, and host cells to produce an unsaturated fatty acyl-CoA product from a saturated or unsaturated fatty acyl-CoA reactant is also disclosed. The unsaturated fatty acyl-CoA products are useful as pheromones or as pheromone precursors as well as in the preparation of organic molecules, such as drugs.

Abstract: The present invention provides for the isolation of genomic DNA fragments from Drosophila melanogaster encoding conserved amino acid sequence elements unique to the ligand-gated chloride channel gene family. A polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based homology probing strategy was utilized to isolate the genomic DNA fragments. Using the PCR strategy, three discrete amplified sequence elements designated LCCH1, LCCH2 and LCCH3, were isolated, LCCH2 and LCCH3 being novel. In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided the cloning and characterization of a cDNA encoding a novel member of the ligand-gated chloride channel gene family of insects isolated from Drosophila melanogaster. The cDNA corresponds to the LCCH3 genomic sequence of the invention.