Abstract: The present invention relates to fatty acid desaturases able to catalyze the conversion of oleic acid to linoleic acid, linoleic acid to ?-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 genes involved in the desaturation of polyunsaturated fatty acids at carbon 6 (i.e., “?6-desaturase”). In particular, ?6-desaturase may be utilized, for example, in the conversion of linoleic acid to ?-linolenic acid and in the conversion of ?-linolenic acid stearidonic 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 a gene involved in the elongation of polyunsaturated fatty acids containing unsaturation at the carbon 9 position (i.e., “?9-elongase”) and to uses thereof. In particular, ?9-elongase may be utilized, for example, in the conversion of linoleic acid (LA, 18:2n-6) to eicosadienoic acid (EDA, 20:2n-6). The production of dihomo-?-linolenic acid (DGLA, 20:3n-6) from eicosadienoic acid (EDA, 20:2n-6), and arachidonic acid (AA, 20:4n-6) from dihomo-?-linolenic acid (DGLA, 20:3n-6) is then catalyzed by ?8-desaturase and ?5-desaturase, respectively. 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 several genes involved in the elongation of polyunsaturated fatty acids (i.e., “elongases”) and to uses thereof. At least two of these genes are also involved in the elongation of monounsaturated fatty acids. In particular, elongase is utilized in the conversion of gamma linolenic acid (GLA) to dihomogamma linolenic acid (DGLA) and in the conversion of AA to adrenic acid (ADA), or eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) to ?3-docosapentaenoic acid (DPA). DGLA may be utilized in the production of polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as arachidonic acid (AA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), EPA, adrenic acid, ?6-docosapentaenoic acid or ?3-docosapentaenoic acid which 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 a gene involved in the elongation of polyunsaturated fatty acids containing unsaturation at the carbon 9 position (i.e., “?9-elongase”) and to uses thereof. In particular, ?9-elongase may be utilized, for example, in the conversion of linoleic acid (LA, 18:2n-6) to eicosadienoic acid (EDA, 20:2n-6). The production of dihomo-?-linolenic acid (DGLA, 20:3n-6) from eicosadienoic acid (EDA, 20:2n-6), and arachidonic acid (AA, 20:4n-6) from dihomo-?-linolenic acid (DGLA, 20:3n-6) is then catalyzed by ?8-desaturase and ?5-desaturase, respectively. 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 several genes involved in the elongation of polyunsaturated fatty acids (i.e., “elongases”) and to uses thereof. At least two of these genes are also involved in the elongation of monounsaturated fatty acids. In particular, elongase is utilized in the conversion of gamma linolenic acid (GLA) to dihomogamma linolenic acid (DGLA) and in the conversion of AA to adrenic acid (ADA), or eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) to ?3-docosapentaenoic acid (DPA). DGLA may be utilized in the production of polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as arachidonic acid (AA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), EPA, adrenic acid, ?6-docosapentaenoic acid or ?3-docosapentaenoic acid which may be added to pharmaceutical compositions, nutritional compositions, animal feeds, as well as other products such as cosmetics.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to isolated nucleic acid sequences or genes involved in polyketide synthase (PKS) biosynthetic pathways. In particular, such pathways are involved in the production of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) such as, for example, Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Specifically, the invention relates to isolating nucleic acid sequences encoding proteins involved in eukaryotic PUFA-PKS systems and to uses of these genes and encoded proteins in PUFA-PKS systems, in heterologous hosts, for the production of PUFAs such as EPA and DHA.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to the identification of genes involved in the desaturation of polyunsaturated fatty acids at carbon 5 (i.e., “?5-desaturase”) and at carbon 6 (i.e., “?6-desaturase”) and to uses thereof. In particular, ?5-desaturase may be utilized, for example, in the conversion of dihomo-?-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 ?-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 isolated nucleic acid sequences or genes involved in polyketide synthase (PKS) biosynthetic pathways. In particular, such pathways are involved in the production of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) such as, for example, Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Specifically, the invention relates to isolating nucleic acid sequences encoding proteins involved in eukaryotic PUFA-PKS systems and to uses of these genes and encoded proteins in PUFA-PKS systems, in heterologous hosts, for the production of PUFAs such as EPA and DHA.

Abstract: Disdosed are methods of treating an individual having a condition characterized by an imbalance in type 1 and type 2 cytokine production, wherein the method comprises administering to the individual an amount of ?-hydroxy-?-methylbutyrate (HMB) effective to modulate or otherwise cause an increase in the ratio of type 1 to type 2 cytokines, induding an increase in the ratio of type 1 to type 2 cytokines without a corresponding increase in type 2 cytokine levels. Also disdosed are methods of using HMB to treat asthma and allergies. The methods of the present invention are based upon the discovery that HMB modulates cytokine production, most typically by increasing type 1 cytokines without a corresponding increase in type 2 cytokines.

Abstract: Disclosed are isolated polynucleotides encoding an omega-3 desaturase and a delta-12 desaturase, the enzymes encoded by the isolated polynucleotides, vectors containing the isolated polynucleotides, transgenic hosts that contain the isolated polynucleotides that express the enzymes encoded thereby, methods for producing the desaturase enzymes, and method of using the enzymes to make polyunsaturated fatty acids. The isolated polynucleotides are derived from a fungus, Saprolegnia diclina (ATCC 56851). In particular, omega-3-desaturase may be utilized, for example, in the conversion of arachidonic acid (AA) to eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). Delta-12 desaturase may be used, for example, in the conversion of oleic acid (OA) to linoleic (LA). EPA 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., “?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: Disclosed are isolated polynucleotides encoding an omega-3 desaturase and a delta-12 desaturase, the enzymes encoded by the isolated polynucleotides, vectors containing the isolated polynucleotides, transgenic hosts that contain the isolated polynucleotides that express the enzymes encoded thereby, methods for producing the desaturase enzymes, and method of using the enzymes to make polyunsaturated fatty acids. The isolated polynucleotides are derived from a fungus, Saprolegnia diclina (ATCC 56851). In particular, omega-3-desaturase may be utilized, for example, in the conversion of arachidonic acid (AA) to eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). Delta-12 desaturase may be used, for example, in the conversion of oleic acid (OA) to linoleic (LA). EPA 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 present invention relates to methods for the prevention and treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases, cancer, and involuntary weight loss. In the practice of the present invention patients are enterally administered HMB alone or alternatively in combination with eicosapentaenoic (20:5 ?-3), FOS, carnitine and mixtures thereof. HMB may be added to food products comprising a source of amino-nitrogen enriched with large neutral amino acids such as leucine, isoleucine, valine, tyrosine, threonine and phenylalanine and substantially lacking in free amino acids.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to isolated nucleic acid sequences or genes involved in polyketide synthase (PKS) biosynthetic pathways. In particular, such pathways are involved in the production of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) such as, for example, Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Specifically, the invention relates to isolating nucleic acid sequences encoding proteins involved in eukaryotic PUFA-PKS systems and to uses of these genes and encoded proteins in PUFA-PKS systems, in heterologous hosts, for the production of PUFAs such as EPA and DHA.

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 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 four genes involved in the elongation of polyunsaturated acids (i.e., “elongases”) and to uses thereof. Two of these genes are also involved in the elongation of monounsaturated fatty acids. In particular, elongase is utilized in the conversion of gamma linolenic acid (GLA) to dihomogamma linolenic acid (DGLA) and in the conversion of DGLA or 20:4n-3 to eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). DGLA may be utilized in the production of polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as arachidonic acid (AA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), EPA, adrenic acid, ?6-docosapentaenoic acid or ?3-docosapentaenoic acid which 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., “?5-desaturase”) and at carbon 6 (i.e., “?6-desaturase”) and to uses thereof. In particular, ?5-desaturase may be utilized, for example, in the conversion of dihomo-?-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 ?-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., “?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.