The production of long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in transgenic plants by reverse-engineering.
The nutritional importance of long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs) is now well-established, with these lipids playing roles in human development and the prevention of various diseases. In particular, n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids are protective against cardiovascular disease (CVD) and risks associated with metabolic syndrome. In view of the decline in marine fish stocks, which represent the predominant natural reserves of n-3 long chain polyunsaturates, alternative sources are urgently required. One approach may be to express the LC-PUFA-biosynthetic pathway in transgenic plants. Recent progress in validating this approach has now emerged, demonstrating the feasibility of using transgenic plants to synthesise these important human nutrients.
Napier
Johnathan A
JA
Crop Performance and Improvement Division, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Herts AL5 2JQ, UK. johnathan.napier@bbsrc.ac.uk <johnathan.napier@bbsrc.ac.uk>
Beaudoin
Frédéric
F
Michaelson
Louise V
LV
Sayanova
Olga
O
D000818:Animals; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D005818:Genetic Engineering; D006801:Humans; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified / Q000378:metabolism*
D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated