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 subject invention relates to the identification of several genes involved in the elongation of polyunsaturated 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 &ohgr;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, &ohgr;6-docosapentaenoic acid or &ohgr;3-docosapentaenoic acid which may be added to pharmaceutical compositions, nutritional compositions, animal feeds, as well as other products such as cosmetics.