High level production of adrenic acid in Physcomitrella patens using the algae Pavlova sp. Delta(5)-elongase gene.

Adrenic acid (ADA), an omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA), has attracted much interest due to its pharmaceutical potential. Exploiting the wealth of information currently available on in planta oil biosynthesis, and coupling this information with the tool of genetic engineering, it is now feasible to deliberately alter fatty acid biosynthetic pathways to generate unique oils in commodity crops. In this study, a Delta(5)-elongase gene from the algae Pavlova sp.

Identification and functional characterization of the moss Physcomitrella patens delta5-desaturase gene involved in arachidonic and eicosapentaenoic acid biosynthesis.

The moss Physcomitrella patens contains high levels of arachidonic acid and lesser amounts of eicosapentaenoic acid. Here we report the identification and characterization of a delta5-desaturase from P. patens that is associated with the synthesis of these fatty acids.