Abstract: The amino acid and nucleic acid sequences of a ?5-desaturase enzyme and a ?8-desaturase enzyme are disclosed. The nucleic acid sequences can be used to design recombinant DNA constructs and vectors. These vectors can then be used to transform various organisms, including for example, plants and yeast. The transformed organisms will then produce polyunsaturated fatty acids. The amino acid sequences are useful for generating enzyme-specific antibodies that are useful for identifying the desaturases.

Abstract: Recombinant expression of fat-1 gene of Caenorhabditis elegans in a wide variety of cells, including cells of Arabidopsis thaliana and Saccharomyces cerevisiae, produces a polypeptide having ?-3 desaturase activity.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods related to acyl-coenzyme A thioesterases. In particular, the present invention is related to plant acyl-coenzyme A thioesterases. The present invention encompasses both native and recombinant wild-type forms of the enzymes, as well as mutant and variant forms, some of which possess altered characteristics relative to the wild-type enzyme. The present invention also relates to methods of using acyl-CoA thioesterases, including altered expression in transgenic plants and expression in prokaryotes and cell culture systems.

Abstract: The amino acid and nucleic acid sequences of a &Dgr;5-desaturase enzyme and a &Dgr;8-desaturase enzyme are disclosed. The nucleic acid sequences can be used to design recombinant DNA constructs and vectors. These vectors can then be used to transform various organisms, including for example, plants and yeast. The transformed organisms will then produce polyunsaturated fatty acids. The amino acid sequences are useful for generating enzyme-specific antibodies that are useful for identifying the desaturases.

Abstract: The present invention relates to genes encoding plant acyl-CoA synthetases and methods of their use. In particular, the present invention is related to plant acyl-coenzyme A synthetases. The present invention encompasses both native and recombinant wild-type forms of the enzymes, as well as mutant and variant forms, some of which possess altered characteristics relative to the wild-type enzyme. The present invention also relates to methods of using acyl-CoA synthetases, including altered expression in transgenic plants and expression in prokaryotes and cell culture systems.

Abstract: Desaturase enzymes, and especially animal &Dgr;12-desaturases, and the use of such enzymes to alter fatty acid saturation, especially fatty acid saturation in oilseeds, are disclosed. Also disclosed are nucleic acid sequences encoding animal &Dgr;12-desaturase enzymes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to genes encoding plant acyl-CoA synthetases and methods of their use. In particular, the present invention is related to plant acyl-coenzyme A synthetases. The present invention encompasses both native and recombinant wild-type forms of the enzymes, as well as mutant and variant forms, some of which possess altered characteristics relative to the wild-type enzyme. The present invention also relates to methods of using acyl-CoA synthetases, including altered expression in transgenic plants and expression in prokaryotes and cell culture systems.

Abstract: The present invention relates to genes encoding plant acyl-CoA synthetases and methods of their use. In particular, the present invention is related to plant acyl-coenzyme A synthetases. The present invention encompasses both native and recombinant wild-type forms of the enzymes, as well as mutant and variant forms, some of which possess altered characteristics relative to the wild-type enzyme. The present invention also relates to methods of using acyl-CoA synthetases, including altered expression in transgenic plants and expression in prokaryotes and cell culture systems.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods related to acyl-coenzyme A thioesterases. In particular, the present invention is related to plant acyl-coenzyme A thioesterases. The present invention encompasses both native and recombinant wild-type forms of the enzymes, as well as mutant and variant forms, some of which possess altered characteristics relative to the wild-type enzyme. The present invention also relates to methods of using acyl-CoA thioesterases, including altered expression in transgenic plants and expression in prokaryotes and cell culture systems.

Abstract: Recombinant expression of fat-1 gene of Caenorhabditis elegans in a wide variety of cells, including cells of Arabidopsis thaliana and Saccharomyces cerevisiae, produces a polypeptide having &ohgr;-3 desaturase activity.

Abstract: Recombinant expression of fat-1 gene of Caenorhabditis elegans in a wide variety of cells, including cells of Arabidopsis thaliana and Saccharomyces cerevisiae, produces a polypeptide having &ohgr;-3 desaturase activity.

Abstract: Recombinant expression of fat-1 gene of Caenorhabditis elegans in a wide variety of cells, including cells of Arabidopsis thaliana and Saccharomyces cerevisiae, produces a polypeptide having &ohgr;-3 desaturase activity.

Abstract: The preparation and use of nucleic acid fragments encoding fatty acid desaturase enzymes are described. The invention permits alteration of plant lipid composition. Chimeric genes incorporating such nucleic acid fragments with suitable regulatory sequences may be used to create transgenic plants with altered levels of unsaturated fatty acids.