Introduction of ω-3 Desaturase Obviously Changed the Fatty Acid Profile and Sterol Content of Schizochytrium sp.
ω-3 fatty acids play significant roles in brain development and cardiovascular disease prevention and have been widely used in food additives and the pharmaceutical industry. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of ω-3 desaturase for regulating fatty acid composition and sterol content in Schizochytrium sp. The exogenous ω-3 desaturase gene driven by ubiqutin promoter was introduced by 18S homologous sequence to the genome of Schizochytrium sp. Genetically modified strains had greater size and lower polar lipids than wild type strains. In addition, the introduction of ω-3 desaturase improved the ω-3/ω-6 ratio from 2.1 to 2.58 and converted 3% docosapentaenoic acid (DPA) to docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Furthermore, squalene and sterol contents in lipid of the genetically modified strain reduced by 37.19 and 22.31%, respectively. The present study provided an advantageous genetically engineered Schizochytrium sp. for DHA production and effective metabolic engineering strategy for fatty acid producing microbes.
State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University , No. 30 South Puzhu Road, Nanjing 211816, People's Republic of China.
Lu-jing
LJ
Ren
State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University , No. 30 South Puzhu Road, Nanjing 211816, People's Republic of China.
Xiao-yan
XY
Zhuang
State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University , No. 30 South Puzhu Road, Nanjing 211816, People's Republic of China.
Sheng-lan
SL
Chen
State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University , No. 30 South Puzhu Road, Nanjing 211816, People's Republic of China.
Xiao-jun
XJ
Ji
State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University , No. 30 South Puzhu Road, Nanjing 211816, People's Republic of China.
He
H
Huang
D044943:Fatty Acid Desaturases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D005818:Genetic Engineering; D013261:Sterols / Q000378:metabolism*; D058009:Stramenopiles / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
D005227:Fatty Acids; D013261:Sterols; D044943:Fatty Acid Desaturases; C078565:omega-3 fatty acid desaturase
Schizochytrium sp.; fatty acids; squalene; sterol; ω-3 desaturase gene