Product and process for transformation of Thraustochytriales microorganisms

A recombinant vector for transformation of microorganisms of the Order Thraustochytriales, comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding an acetolactate synthase that confers reduced sensitivity to compounds selected from the group consisting of:

• sulfonylurea compounds, imidazolinone-class inhibitors, and pyimidinyl oxybenzoates, onto a microorganism of the order Thraustochytriales, wherein said acetolactate synthase has an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of:
• a. an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 19, SEQ ID NO:
• 22 and SEQ ID NO:
• 24;
• and,
• b. an amino acid sequence that is at least 95% identical to an amino acid sequence of (a);
• wherein said nucleic acid sequence encoding an acetolactate synthase is operatively linked to a transcription control sequence.

A method for transformation of cells of a microorganism of the Order Thraustochytriales, said method comprising:

• a. introducing into cells of a microorganism of the Order Thraustochytriales a recombinant nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding an acetolactate synthase that confers onto said cells reduced sensitivity to compounds selected from the group consisting of:
• sulfonylurea compounds, imidazolinone-class inhibitors, and pyrimidinyl oxybenzoates, wherein said acetolactate synthase has an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of:
• i. an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 19, SEQ ID NO:
• 22 and SEQ ID NO:
• 24;
• and,
• ii. an amino acid sequence that is at least 95% identical to an amino acid sequence of (i);
• and,
• b. selecting cells that have been successfully transformed with said recombinant nucleic acid molecule by culturing said cells of (a) in a medium containing at least one compound that is inhibitory to untransformed cells, said compound being selected from the group consisting of:
• a sulfonylurea compound, an imidazolinone-class inhibitor, and pyrimidinyl oxybenzoates.

A recombinant microorganism of the order Thraustochytriales, transformed with a recombinant nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding an acetolactate synthase that confers onto said microorganism reduced sensitivity to compounds selected from the group consisting of:

• sulfonylurea compounds, imidazolinone-class inhibitors, and pyrimidinyl oxybenzoates, wherein said acetolactate synthase has an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of:
• a. an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:
• 19, SEQ ID NO:
• 22 and SEQ ID NO:
• 24;
• and,
• b. an amino acid sequence that is at least 95% identical to an amino acid sequence of (a).