title: Genetic modification of essential fatty acids biosynthesis in Hansenula polymorpha.
abstract: The Delta(6)-desaturase gene isoform II involved in the formation of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) was identified from Mucor rouxii. To study the possibility of alteration of the synthetic pathway of essential fatty acids in the methylotrophic yeast, Hansenula polymorpha, the cloned gene of M. rouxii under the control of the methanol oxidase (MOX) promoter of H. polymorpha, was used for genetic modification of this yeast. Changes in flux through the n-3 and n-6 pathways in the transgenic yeast were observed. The proportion of GLA varied dramatically depending on the growth temperature and media composition. This can be explained by the effects of either substrate availability or enzymatic activity. In addition to the potential application for manipulating the fatty acid profile, this study provides an attractive model system of H. polymorpha for investigating the deviation of fatty acid metabolism in eukaryotes.
authors.affiliation: Biochemical Engineering and Pilot Plant Research and Development Unit, National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi, Bangkhuntien, Bangkok 10150, Thailand. laotengk@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Kobkul
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Laoteng
authors.forename: Rawisara
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ruenwai
authors.forename: Morakot
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tanticharoen
authors.forename: Supapon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cheevadhanarak
mesh_terms: D000429:Alcohol Oxidoreductases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D044943:Fatty Acid Desaturases / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D005228:Fatty Acids, Essential / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000737:chemistry; D015966:Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal; D005818:Genetic Engineering / Q000379:methods; D050602:Linoleoyl-CoA Desaturase; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009089:Mucor / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics; D010802:Phylogeny; D010843:Pichia / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic
chemical_list: D005228:Fatty Acids, Essential; D000429:Alcohol Oxidoreductases; C029293:methanol oxidase; D044943:Fatty Acid Desaturases; D050602:Linoleoyl-CoA Desaturase