| abstract |
EPA contained in arachidonic acid, fungi and fish oil contained in mammalian tissues such as filamentous fungi, liver and adrenal gland is produced by desaturase. Provided are Δ5-desaturase and Δ6-desaturase, genes encoding these enzymes, and a method for recombinant production using these enzymes. A gene involved in desaturation of polyunsaturated fatty acids of carbon 5 (ie, “Δ5-desaturase”) and carbon 6 (ie, “Δ6-desaturase”). Δ5-desaturase can be used, for example, for the conversion of dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (DGLA) to arachidonic acid (AA) or 20: 4n-3 to eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). Δ6-desaturase can be used to convert linolenic acid (LA) to γ-linolenic acid (GLA). The produced AA and polyunsaturated fatty acids can be added to pharmaceutical compositions, nutritional compositions, animal feeds and other products (eg cosmetics). [Selection figure] None |