The present invention provides isolated FAD2, FAD3, FAB1 and FAE1 genes and FAD2, FAD3, FAB1 and FAE1 protein sequences of Camelina species, e.g., Camelina sativa, mutations in Camelina FAD2, FAD3, FAB1 and FAE1 genes, and methods of using the same. In addition, methods of altering Camelina seed composition and/or improving Camelina seed oil quality are disclosed. Furthermore, methods of breeding Camelina cultivars to produce plants having altered or improved seed oil and/or meal quality are provided.

The present invention discloses an engineering yeast strain for producing nervonic acids. The yeast strain over-expresses the genes related to enzymes required in a synthetic process of long-chain unsaturated fatty acids, such as fatty acid elongase, desaturase, diacylglycerol acyltransferase and the like, and optionally, further adjusts and controls the synthesis and decomposition route of triglyceride, the synthesis and decomposition route of sphingomyelin, and the synthesis and decomposition route and the oxidation-reduction balanced route of lipid subcell levels. The recombinant yeast strain can produce microorganism oil; and the content of the prepared nervonic acids accounts for 39.6% of the total fatty acids.

Disclosed are transformed cells comprising one or more genetic modifications that affect the lipid content of the cell, e.g., by increasing the concentration of oleic acid in the cell relative to an unmodified cell of the same type. Also disclosed are methods for modifying the lipid content of a cell by increasing the activity of one or more proteins in the cell and/or by decreasing the activity of one or more proteins in the same cell.

Disclosed herein are therapeutic agents capable of increasing the expression level of ELOVL2. Also described herein are therapeutic agents that reduce or slow an aging phenotype. Methods for treating age-related eye diseases or conditions are also provided. Methods for treating an age-related eye disease or condition in a subject by administering one or more therapeutic agents are provided.

Disclosed are transformed cells comprising one or more genetic modifications that affect the lipid content of the cell, e.g., by increasing the concentration of oleic acid in the cell relative to an unmodified cell of the same type. Also disclosed are methods for modifying the lipid content of a cell by increasing the activity of one or more proteins in the cell and/or by decreasing the activity of one or more proteins in the same cell.

An object of the present invention is to provide enzymes and a DNA encoding the enzymes that are involved in biosynthesis of trehangelin which has the potential to be a therapeutic agent for photosensitivity disorder and cosmetics, and to provide a method for producing trehangelin by utilizing the enzymes and a recombinant microorganism. The present invention is directed to a protein having an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3, 5, 7 or 9, or a protein having an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3, 5, 7 or 9 in which one to several amino acids are deleted, substituted, added and/or inserted or an amino acid sequence having 60% or more homology with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3, 5, 7 or 9 and having an enzyme activity involved in biosynthesis of trehangelin; and a DNA encoding said protein.

Genes encoding mutant 3-ketoacyl-CoA synthases are introduced into host cells. Certain of the mutants enhance the production of shorter-chain fatty acids and derivatives by the cell than do the wild-type (unmutated) enzymes. In other cases, the chain length is not significantly affected, but productivity is enhanced. In specific cases, both a shift toward lower chain length and higher productivity is seen. Cells producing the mutant 3-ketoacyl-CoA synthases are especially suitable for producing C6-C10 fatty acids and derivatives.

The present invention relates to a process for the production of polyunsaturated fatty acids in an organism by introducing, into the organism, nucleic acids which encode polypeptides with Δ5-elongase activity. Advantageously, these nucleic acids can be expressed in the organism together with further nucleic acids which encode polypeptides of the biosynthesis of the fatty acid or lipid metabolism. Especially advantageous are nucleic acids which encode Δ6-desaturases, Δ5-desaturases, Δ4-desaturases and/or Δ6-elongases. These desaturases and elongases are advantageously derived from Thalassiosira, Euglena or Ostreococcus. The invention furthermore relates to a process for the production of oils and/or triacylglycerides with an elevated content of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, and oils and/or triacylglycerides thus obtained. The invention also relates to the nucleic acids, and constructs, vectors and transgenic organisms comprising the same, as well as oils, lipids and/or fatty acids produced by the process according to the invention and to their use.

The present invention relates to a process for the production of polyunsaturated fatty acids in an organism by introducing, into the organism, nucleic acids which encode polypeptides with Δ5-elongase activity. Advantageously, these nucleic acids can be expressed in the organism together with further nucleic acids which encode polypeptides of the biosynthesis of the fatty acid or lipid metabolism. Especially advantageous are nucleic acids which encode Δ6-desaturases, Δ5-desaturases, Δ4-desaturases and/or Δ6-elongases. These desaturases and elongases are advantageously derived from Thalassiosira, Euglena or Ostreococcus. The invention furthermore relates to a process for the production of oils and/or triacylglycerides with an elevated content of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, and oils and/or triacylglycerides thus obtained. The invention also relates to the nucleic acids, and constructs, vectors and transgenic organisms comprising the same, as well as oils, lipids and/or fatty acids produced by the process according to the invention and to their use.

Genes encoding mutant 3-ketoacyl-CoA synthases are introduced into host cells. Certain of the mutants enhance the production of shorter-chain fatty acids and derivatives by the cell than do the wild-type (unmutated) enzymes. In other cases, the chain length is not significantly affected, but productivity is enhanced. In specific cases, both a shift toward lower chain length and higher productivity is seen. Cells producing the mutant 3-ketoacyl-CoA synthases are especially suitable for producing C6-C10 fatty acids and derivatives.