Abstract: The subject invention relates to the identification of genes involved in the desaturation of polyunsaturated fatty acids at carbon 4 (i.e., “?4-desaturase”). In particular, ?4-desaturase may be utilized, for example, in the conversion of adrenic acid to ?6-docosapentaenoic acid and in the conversion of ?3-docosapentaenoic acid to docosahexaenoic acid. The polyunsaturated fatty acids produced by use of the enzyme may be added to pharmaceutical compositions, nutritional compositions, animal feeds, as well as other products such as cosmetics.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to the identification of genes involved in the desaturation of polyunsaturated fatty acids at carbon 5 (i.e., “&Dgr;5-desaturase”) and at carbon 6 (i.e., “&Dgr;6-desaturase”) and to uses thereof. In particular, &Dgr;5-desaturase may be utilized, for example, in the conversion of dihomo-&ggr;-linolenic acid (DGLA) to arachidonic acid (AA) and in the conversion of 20:4n-3 to eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). Delta-6 desaturase may be used, for example, in the conversion of linoleic (LA) to &ggr;-linolenic acid (GLA). AA or polyunsaturated fatty acids produced therefrom may be added to pharmaceutical compositions, nutritional compositions, animal feeds, as well as other products such as cosmetics.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to the identification of genes involved in the desaturation of polyunsaturated fatty acids at carbon 5 (i.e., “&Dgr;5-desaturase”) and at carbon 6 (i.e., “&Dgr;6-desaturase”) and to uses thereof. In particular, &Dgr;5-desaturase may be utilized, for example, in the conversion of dihomo-&ggr; -linolenic acid (DGLA) to arachidonic acid (AA) and in the conversion of 20:4n-3 to eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). Delta-6 desaturase may be used, for example, in the conversion of linoleic (LA) to &ggr;-linolenic acid (GLA). AA or polyunsaturated fatty acids produced therefrom may be added to pharmaceutical compositions, nutritional compositions, animal feeds, as well as other products such as cosmetics.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to the identification of genes involved in the desaturation of polyunsaturated fatty acids at carbon 5 (i.e., “&Dgr;5-desaturase”) and at carbon 6 (i.e., “&Dgr;6-desaturase”) and to uses thereof. In particular, &Dgr;5-desaturase may be utilized, for example, in the conversion of dihomo-&ggr;-linolenic acid (DGLA) to arachidonic acid (AA) and in the conversion of 20:4n-3 to eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). Delta-6 desaturase may be used, for example, in the conversion of linoleic (LA) to &ggr;-linolenic acid (GLA). AA or polyunsaturated fatty acids produced therefrom may be added to pharmaceutical compositions, nutritional compositions, animal feeds, as well as other products such as cosmetics.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to the identification of genes involved in the desaturation of polyunsaturated fatty acids at carbon 5 (i.e., “&Dgr;5-desaturase”) and at carbon 6 (i.e., “&Dgr;6-desaturase”) and to uses thereof. In particular, &Dgr;5-desaturase may be utilized, for example, in the conversion of dihomo-&ggr;-linolenic acid (DGLA) to arachidonic acid (AA) and in the conversion of 20:4n-3 to eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). Delta-6 desaturase may be used, for example, in the conversion of linoleic (LA) to &ggr;-linolenic acid (GLA). AA or polyunsaturated fatty acids produced therefrom may be added to pharmaceutical compositions, nutritional compositions, animal feeds, as well as other products such as cosmetics.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to the identification of genes involved in the desaturation of polyunsaturated fatty acids at carbon 4 (i.e., “&Dgr;4-desaturase”). In particular, &Dgr;4-desaturase may be utilized, for example, in the conversion of adrenic acid to &ohgr;6-docosapentaenoic acid and in the conversion of &ohgr;3-docosapentaenoic acid to docosahexaenoic acid. The polyunsaturated fatty acids produced by use of the enzyme may be added to pharmaceutical compositions, nutritional compositions, animal feeds, as well as other products such as cosmetics.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fatty acid &Dgr;5-desaturase able to catalyze the conversion of dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid to arachidonic acid. Nucleic acid sequences encoding a &Dgr;5-desaturase, nucleic acid sequences which hybridize thereto, DNA constructs comprising a &Dgr;5-desaturase gene, and recombinant host microorganism or animal expressing increased levels of a &Dgr;5-desaturase are described. Methods for desaturating a fatty acid at the &Dgr;5 position and for producing arachidonic acid by expressing increased levels of a &Dgr;5 desaturase are disclosed. Fatty acids, and oils containing them, which have been desaturated by a &Dgr;5-desaturase produced by recombinant host microorganisms or animals are provided. Pharmaceutical compositions, infant formulas or dietary supplements containing fatty acids which have been desaturated by a &Dgr;5-desaturase produced by a recombinant host microorganism or animal also are described.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to the identification of genes involved in the desaturation of polyunsaturated fatty acids at carbon 4 (i.e., “&Dgr;4-desaturase”). In particular, &Dgr;4-desaturase may be utilized, for example, in the conversion of adrenic acid to &ohgr;6-docosapentaenoic acid and in the conversion of &ohgr;3-docosapentaenoic acid to docosahexaenoic acid. The polyunsaturated fatty acids produced by use of the enzyme may be added to pharmaceutical compositions, nutritional compositions, animal feeds, as well as other products such as cosmetics.

Abstract: The present invention relates to fatty acid desaturases able to catalyze the conversion of oleic acid to linoleic acid, linoleic acid to gamma-linolenic acid, or of alpha-linolenic acid to stearidonic acid. Nucleic acid sequences encoding desaturases, nucleic acid sequences which hybridize thereto, DNA constructs comprising a desaturase gene, and recombinant host microorganism or animal expressing increased levels of a desaturase are described. Methods for desaturating a fatty acid and for producing a desaturated fatty acid by expressing increased levels of a desaturase are disclosed. Fatty acids, and oils containing them, which have been desaturated by a desaturase produced by recombinant host microorganisms or animals are provided. Pharmaceutical compositions, infant formulas or dietary supplements containing fatty acids which have been desaturated by a desaturase produced by a recombinant host microorganism or animal also are described.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to the identification of a gene involved in the elongation of polyunsaturated fatty acids (i.e., “elongase”) and to uses thereof. In particular, elongase is utilized in the conversion of gamma linolenic acid (GLA) to dihomogamma linolenic acid (DGLA) and in the conversion of 20:4n-3 to eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). DGLA may be utilized in the production of polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as arachidonic acid (AA) which may be added to pharmaceutical compositions, nutritional compositions, animal feeds, as well as other products such as cosmetics.

Abstract: The present invention relates to fatty acid desaturases able to catalyze the conversion of oleic acid to linoleic acid, linoleic acid to gamma-linolenic acid, or of alpha-linolenic acid to stearidonic acid. Nucleic acid sequences encoding desaturases, nucleic acid sequences which hybridize thereto, DNA constructs comprising a desaturase gene, and recombinant host microorganism or animal expressing increased levels of a desaturase are described. Methods for desaturating a fatty acid and for producing a desaturated fatty acid by expressing increased levels of a desaturase are disclosed. Fatty acids, and oils containing them, which have been desaturated by a desaturase produced by recombinant host microorganisms or animals are provided. Pharmaceutical compositions, infant formulas or dietary supplements containing fatty acids which have been desaturated by a desaturase produced by a recombinant host microorganism or animal also are described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for preparing poly-unsaturated long chain fatty acids in plants, plant parts and plant cells, such as leaves, roots, fruits and seeds. Nucleic acid sequences and constructs encoding fatty acid desaturases, including .DELTA.5-desaturases, .DELTA.6-desaturases and .DELTA.12-desaturases, are used to generate transgenic plants, plant parts and cells which contain and express one or more transgenes encoding one or more desaturases. Expression of the desaturases with different substrate specificities in the plant system permit the large scale production of poly-unsaturated long chain fatty acids such as docosahexaenoic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, .alpha.-linoleic acid, gamma-linolenic acid, arachidonic acid and the like for modification of the fatty acid profile of plants, plant parts and tissues. Manipulation of the fatty acid profiles allows for the production of commercial quantities of novel plant oils and products.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fatty acid .DELTA.5-desaturase able to catalyze the conversion of dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid to arachidonic acid. Nucleic acid sequences encoding a .DELTA.5-desaturase, nucleic acid sequences which hybridize thereto, DNA constructs comprising a .DELTA.5-desaturase gene, and recombinant host microorganism or animal expressing increased levels of a .DELTA.5-desaturase are described. Methods for desaturating a fatty acid at the .DELTA.5 position and for producing arachidonic acid by expressing increased levels of a .DELTA.5 desaturase are disclosed. Fatty acids, and oils containing them, which have been desaturated by a .DELTA.5-desaturase produced by recombinant host microorganisms or animals are provided. Pharmaceutical compositions, infant formulas or dietary supplements containing fatty acids which have been desaturated by a .DELTA.5-desaturase produced by a recombinant host microorganism or animal also are described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to fatty acid desaturases able to catalyze the conversion of oleic acid to linoleic acid, linoleic acid to gamma-linolenic acid, or of alpha-linolenic acid to stearidonic acid. Nucleic acid sequences encoding desaturases, nucleic acid sequences which hybridize thereto, DNA constructs comprising a desaturase gene, and recombinant host microorganism or animal expressing increased levels of a desaturase are described. Methods for desaturating a fatty acid and for producing a desaturated fatty acid by expressing increased levels of a desaturase are disclosed. Fatty acids, and oils containing them, which have been desaturated by a desaturase produced by recombinant host microorganisms or animals are provided. Pharmaceutical compositions, infant formulas or dietary supplements containing fatty acids which have been desaturated by a desaturase produced by a recombinant host microorganism or animal also are described.