Patents by Inventor Zhixiong Xue

Zhixiong Xue has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8658413
    Abstract: Mutant delta-5 desaturases, having the ability to convert dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid [DGLA; 20:3 omega-6] to arachidonic acid [ARA; 20:4 omega-6] and/or eicosatetraenoic acid [ETA; 20:4 omega-3] to eicosapentaenoic acid [EPA; 20:5 omega-3] and possessing at least one mutation within the HPGG (SEQ ID NO:7) motif of the cytochome b5-like domain and at least one mutation within the HDASH (SEQ ID NO:8) motif are disclosed. Isolated nucleic acid fragments and recombinant constructs comprising such fragments encoding delta-5 desaturases, along with a method of making long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids [“PUFAs”], are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: E I du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Melissa D. Bosak, Michael W. Bostick, Hongxian He, Seung-Pyo Hong, Dana M. Walters Pollak, Pamela L. Sharpe, Yehong Jamie Wang, Zhixiong Xue, Narendra S. Yadav, Hongxiang Zhang, Quinn Qun Zhu
  • Publication number: 20140030772
    Abstract: Engineered strains of the oleaginous yeast Yarrowia lipolytica capable of producing greater than 25% eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, an ?-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid) in the total oil fraction are described. These strains comprise various chimeric genes expressing heterologous desaturases, elongases and acyltransferases and optionally comprise various native desaturase and acyltransferase knockouts to enable synthesis and high accumulation of EPA. Production host cells are claimed, as are methods for producing EPA within said host cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: E I DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY
    Inventors: Howard Glenn Damude, Peter John Gillies, Daniel Joseph Macool, Stephen K. Picataggio, Dana M. Walters Pollak, James John Ragghianti, Zhixiong Xue, Narendra S. Yadav, Hongxiang Zhang, Quinn Qun Zhu
  • Patent number: 8637298
    Abstract: Described are engineered strains of the oleaginous yeast Yarrowia lipolytica capable of producing an oil comprising greater than 50 weight percent of eicosapentaenoic acid [“EPA”], an ?-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid, measured as a weight percent of total fatty acids [“% TFAs”] and having a ratio of at least 3.1 of EPA % TFAs, to linoleic acid, measured as % TFAs. These strains over-express at least one ?9 elongase/?8 desaturase multizyme, in addition to other heterologous ?9 elongases, ?8 desaturases, ?5 desaturases, ?17 desaturases, ?12 desaturases, C16/18 elongases, and optionally over-express diacylglycerol cholinephosphotransferases, malonyl CoA synthetases and/or acyl-CoA lysophospholipid acyltransferases. The expression of at least one peroxisome biogenesis factor protein is down-regulated. Methods for producing EPA within said host cells, oils obtained from the cells, and products therefrom are claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: E I du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Seung-Pyo Hong, Pamela L. Sharpe, Zhixiong Xue, Narendra S. Yadav, Quinn Qun Zhu
  • Publication number: 20130260427
    Abstract: Transgenic Yarrowia species are disclosed herein that comprise a polynucleotide encoding a cytosolic malic enzyme, a lipid content that is at least about 35% by weight of the dry cell weight of the Yarrowia species, and an engineered polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) biosynthetic pathway, wherein overexpression of the cytosolic malic enzyme increases lipid content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: E I DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY
    Inventors: Daniel Joseph Macool, Zhixiong Xue, Quinn Qun Zhu
  • Publication number: 20130254931
    Abstract: Isolated nucleic acid fragments and recombinant constructs comprising such fragments encoding delta-9 elongases along with a method of making long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) using these delta-9 elongases in plants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: E. I. DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY
    Inventors: Howard Glenn Damude, Brian McGonigle, Quinn Qun Zhu, Zhixiong Xue
  • Publication number: 20130230891
    Abstract: Methods of increasing the amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in the total lipid fraction and in the oil fraction of PUFA-producing, oleaginous eukaryotes, accomplished by modifying the activity of peroxisome biogenesis factor (Pex) proteins. Disruptions of a chromosomal Pex3 gene, Pex10p gene or Pex16p gene in a PUFA-producing, oleaginous eukaryotic strain resulted in an increased amount of PUFAs, as a percent of total fatty acids and as a percent of dry cell weight, in the total lipid fraction and in the oil fraction of the strain, as compared to the parental strain whose native Pex protein was not disrupted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Applicant: E I Du Pont De Nemours And Company
    Inventors: Seung-Pyo Hong, Pamela L. Sharpe, Zhixiong Xue, Narendra S. Yadav, Quinn Qun Zhu
  • Patent number: 8518674
    Abstract: Engineered strains of the oleaginous yeast Yarrowia lipolytica capable of producing greater than 25% eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, an ?-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid) in the total oil fraction are described. These strains comprise various chimeric genes expressing heterologous desaturases, elongases and acyltransferases and optionally comprise various native desaturase and acyltransferase knockouts to enable synthesis and high accumulation of EPA. Production host cells are claimed, as are methods for producing EPA within said host cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: E I du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Howard Glenn Damude, Peter John Gillies, Daniel Joseph Macool, Stephen K. Picataggio, Dana M. Walters Pollak, James John Ragghianti, Zhixiong Xue, Narendra S. Yadav, Hongxiang Zhang, Quinn Qun Zhu
  • Patent number: 8420892
    Abstract: Isolated nucleic acid fragments and recombinant constructs comprising such fragments encoding delta-9 elongases along with a method of making long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) using these delta-9 elongases in plants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Howard Glenn Damude, Brian McGonigle, Quinn Qun Zhu, Zhixiong Xue
  • Patent number: 8399226
    Abstract: Described are engineered strains of the oleaginous yeast Yarrowia lipolytica capable of producing an oil comprising greater than 50 weight percent of eicosapentaenoic acid [“EPA”], an ?-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid, measured as a weight percent of total fatty acids [“% TFAs”] and having a ratio of at least 3.1 of EPA % TFAs, to linoleic acid, measured as % TFAs. These strains over-express at least one ?9 elongase/?8 desaturase multizyme, in addition to other heterologous ?9 elongases, ?8 desaturases, ?5 desaturases, ?17 desaturases, ?12 desaturases, C16/18 elongases, and optionally over-express diacylglycerol cholinephosphotransferases, malonyl CoA synthetases and/or acyl-CoA lysophospholipid acyltransferases. The strains possess at least one peroxisome biogenesis factor protein knockout. Methods for producing EPA within said host cells, oils obtained from the cells, and products therefrom are claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: E I du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Seung-Pyo Hong, Pamela L. Sharpe, Zhixiong Xue, Narendra S. Yadav, Quinn Qun Zhu
  • Publication number: 20130011846
    Abstract: The present invention relates to ?17 desaturases, which have the ability to convert ?-6 fatty acids into their ?-3 counterparts (i.e., conversion of arachidonic acid [20:4, ARA] to eicosapentaenoic acid [20:5, EPA]). Isolated nucleic acid fragments and recombinant constructs comprising such fragments encoding ?17 desaturases along with a method of making long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) using these ?17 desaturases in oleaginous yeast are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: E I DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY
    Inventors: Narendra S. Yadav, Zhixiong Xue, Quinn Qun Zhu
  • Publication number: 20120329160
    Abstract: Transgenic oleaginous yeast having increased oil content comprising increased Yap1 transcription factor activity, wherein the increased oil content is compared to the oil content of a non-transgenic oleaginous yeast, are described herein. The increased Yap1 transcription factor activity results from overexpressing a Yap1 transcription factor, by increasing the interaction between the transcription factor and a protein that is capable of activating the transcription factor, or by a combination thereof. Methods of using these yeast strains are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: E.I. DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY
    Inventors: Seung-Pyo Hong, Zhixiong Xue, Quinn Qun Zhu
  • Patent number: 8323960
    Abstract: The promoter region associated with the Yarrowia lipolytica ammonium transporter (yat1) gene has been found to be particularly effective for the expression of heterologous genes in oleaginous yeast. The promoter regions of the instant invention have been shown to be advantageously inducible under oleaginous conditions (i.e., nitrogen limitation) and are useful to drive expression of genes involved in the production of ?-3 and ?-6 fatty acids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: E I du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Zhixiong Xue, Quinn Qun Zhu
  • Patent number: 8323935
    Abstract: Engineered strains of the oleaginous yeast Yarrowia lipolytica capable of producing greater than 50 weight percent of eicosapentaenoic acid [“EPA”], an ?-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid, in the total oil fraction are described. These strains over-express heterologous ?9 elongases, ?8 desaturases, ?5 desaturases, ?17 desaturases, ?12 desaturases and C16/18 elongases, and optionally over-express diacylglycerol cholinephosphotransferases. Preferred gene knockouts are described, as are methods for producing EPA within the host cells and products comprising EPA from the optimized Yarrowia lipolytica strains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: E I du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Zhixiong Xue, Narendra S. Yadav, Quinn Qun Zhu
  • Patent number: 8313911
    Abstract: Methods for the production of omega-3 and/or omega-6 fatty acids in oleaginous yeasts grown on a fermentable carbon source selected from the group consisting of invert sucrose, glucose, fructose and combinations of these, provided that glucose is used in combination with invert sucrose and/or fructose. Specifically, methods are provided for production of linoleic acid, eicosadienoic acid, gamma-linolenic acid, dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid, arachidonic acid, n-6 docosapentaenoic acid, ?-linolenic acid, stearidonic acid, eicosatrienoic acid, eicosatetraenoic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, docosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: E I du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Ethel Noland Jackson, David Richard Short, Dongming Xie, Zhixiong Xue, Quinn Qun Zhu
  • Publication number: 20120289600
    Abstract: Engineered strains of the oleaginous yeast Yarrowia lipolytica capable of producing greater than 50 weight percent of eicosapentaenoic acid [“EPA”], an ?-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid, in the total oil fraction are described. These strains over-express heterologous ?9 elongases, ?8 desaturases, ?5 desaturases, ?17 desaturases, ?12 desaturases and C16/18 elongases, and optionally over-express diacylglycerol cholinephosphotransferases. Preferred gene knockouts are also described. Production host cells, methods for producing EPA within said host cells, and products comprising EPA from the optimized Yarrowia lipolytica strains are claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: E I DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY
    Inventors: Zhixiong Xue, Narendra S. Yadav, Quinn Qun Zhu
  • Publication number: 20120252079
    Abstract: Promoter regions associated with the Yarrowia lipolytica diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 (dgat2) gene are disclosed and have been found to be particularly effective for the expression of heterologous genes in yeast. These promoter regions will be useful for driving high-level expression of genes involved in the production of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: E I Du Pont De Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Quinn Qun Zhu, Zhixiong Xue
  • Patent number: 8241884
    Abstract: The present invention relates to ?17 desaturases, which have the ability to convert ?-6 fatty acids into their ?-3 counterparts (i.e., conversion of arachidonic acid [20:4, ARA] to eicosapentaenoic acid [20:5, EPA]). Isolated nucleic acid fragments and recombinant constructs comprising such fragments encoding ?17 desaturases along with a method of making long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) using these ?17 desaturases in oleaginous yeast are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: E I du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Narendra S. Yadav, Zhixiong Xue, Quinn Qun Zhu
  • Patent number: 8148121
    Abstract: The present invention relates to ?6 desaturases, which have the ability to convert linoleic acid [“LA”; 18:2 ?-6] to ?-linolenic acid [“GLA”; 18:3 ?-6] and/or ?-linolenic acid [“ALA”; 18:3 ?-3] to stearidonic acid [“STA”; 18:4 ?-3]. Isolated nucleic acid fragments and recombinant constructs comprising such fragments encoding ?6 desaturases, along with methods of making long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids [“PUFAs”] using these ?6 desaturases in oleaginous yeast, are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Narendra S. Yadav, Zhixiong Xue, Quinn Qun Zhu, Hongxiang Zhang
  • Publication number: 20120052537
    Abstract: Engineered strains of the oleaginous yeast Yarrowia lipolytica are disclosed herein that are capable of producing microbial oil comprising greater than 25 weight percent of eicosapentaenoic acid [“EPA”], an omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid, measured as a weight percent of dry cell weight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: E. I. DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY
    Inventors: Seung-Pyo Hong, Pamela L. Sharpe, Zhixiong Xue, Narendra S. Yadav, Hongxiang Zhang, Quinn Qun Zhu
  • Publication number: 20120052549
    Abstract: Mutant delta-5 desaturases, having the ability to convert dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid [DGLA; 20:3 omega-6] to arachidonic acid [ARA; 20:4 omega-6] and/or eicosatetraenoic acid [ETA; 20:4 omega-3] to eicosapentaenoic acid [EPA; 20:5 omega-3] and possessing at least one mutation within the HPGG (SEQ ID NO:7) motif of the cytochome b5-like domain and at least one mutation within the HDASH (SEQ ID NO:8) motif are disclosed. Isolated nucleic acid fragments and recombinant constructs comprising such fragments encoding delta-5 desaturases, along with a method of making long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids [“PUFAs”], are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: E. I. DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY
    Inventors: Melissa D. Bosak, Michael W. Bostick, Hongxian He, Seung-Pyo Hong, Dana M. Walters Pollak, Pamela L. Sharpe, Yehong Jamie Wang, Zhixiong Xue, Narendra S. Yadav, Hongxiang Zhang, Quinn Qun Zhu