Production of C20 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) by pathway engineering: identification of a PUFA elongase component from Caenorhabditis elegans. (December 2000)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Beaudoin, F.; Michaelson, L. V.; Lewis, M. J.; Shewry, P. R.; Sayanova, O.; Napier, J. A.
• Is Part Of: Biochemical Society transactions. Volume 28:Number 6(2000)
• Page Start: 661
• Page End: 663
• Publication Date: 2000-12
• Subjects: arachidonic acid -- desaturase -- fatty acid elongation; PUFA, polyunsaturated fatty acid -- ORF, open reading frame; Biochemistry -- Congresses; 572
• DOI: 10.1042/bst0280661
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0300-5127

Abstract

Abstract : Using a combination of database-mining and functional characterization, we have identified a component of the polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) elongase. Co-expression of this elongating activitiy with fatty acid desaturases has allowed us to heterologously reconstitute the PUFA biosynthetic pathway. Both these enzymes (desaturases and elongase components) have undergone gene-duplication events which provide a paradigm for the diverged nature of PUFA biosynthetic activities.