abstract |
The present invention relates to a process for the production of arachidonic acid (=APA) or eicosapentaenoic acid (=EPA) or arachidonic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid, advantageously in the seed of transgenic plants of the family Brassicaceae with a content of ARA or EPA or ARA and EPA of at least 3% by weight based on the total lipid content of the transgenic plant, by introducing, into the organism, nucleic acids which code polypeptides with Δ6-desaturase, Δ6-elongase and Δ5-desaturase activity, where, as the result of the enzymatic activity of the introduced enzymes, a fatty acid selected from the group consisting of the fatty acids oleic acid [C18:1 Δ9 ], linoleic acid [C18:2 Δ9, 12 ], α-linolenic acid [C18:3 Δ6, 9, 12 ], icosenoic acid (20:1 Δ11 ) and erucic acid [C22:1 Δ11 ] is reduced by at least 10% in comparison with the nontransgenic wild-type plant. Advantageously, further enzymes selected from the group of the enzymes (ω3-desaturases, Δ12-desaturases, Δ6-desaturases, Δ6-elongases, Δ5-desaturases, Δ5-elongases and/or Δ4-desaturases can be introduced into the plants. |