Production of γ-linolenic acid in oleaginous yeast
AssigneeE.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
InventorsQuinn Qun Zhu, Dana M. Walters Pollak
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Abstract
The present invention relates to methods for the production of γ-linolenic acid (GLA) in oleaginous yeast. Thus, Δ12 and Δ6 desaturases able to catalyze the conversion of oleic acid to GLA have been introduced into the genome of Yarrowia, using zeta-directed integration. Transformed strains produced over 25% GLA in the total lipids, as opposed to wildtype Yarrowia that is unable to synthesize any GLA. Metabolic engineering and fermentation methods are provided to further enhance GLA productivity in oleaginous yeast.
Claims12
A method for producing γ-linolenic acid comprising:
- a) providing an oleaginous Yarrowia sp. comprising:
- i) the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:9 encoding a peptide having Δ6 desaturase activity;
- ii) the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:39 encoding a peptide having Δ12 desaturase activity;
- and
- iii) a source of desaturase substrate selected from the group consisting of oleic acid and linoleic acid;
- b) growing the yeast of step (a) in the presence of a fermentable carbon source whereby at least 15% γ-linolenic acid in the total lipids is produced;
- and
- c) optionally, recovering the γ-linolenic acid.
A production host cell for the production of γ-linolenic acid comprising:
- a) a background Yarrowia sp. comprising:
- i) the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:9 encoding a peptide having Δ6 desaturase activity;
- ii) the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:39 encoding a peptide having Δ12 desaturase activity,
- wherein at least one of said genetic constructs of (i) or (ii) is over-expressed and whereby at least 15% γ-linolenic acid in the total lipids is produced.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.