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ω3 Polyunsaturated fatty acids are currently obtained mainly from fisheries; thus, sustainable alternative sources such as oleaginous microorganisms are required. Here, we describe the isolation, characterization, and application of 3 novel ω3 desaturases with ω3 polyunsaturated fatty acid–producing activity at ordinary temperatures (28 °C). First, we selected Pythium sulcatum and Plectospira myriandra after screening for oomycetes with high eicosapentaenoic acid/arachidonic acid ratios and isolated the genes psulω3 and pmd17 , respectively, which encode ω3 desaturases. Subsequent characterization showed that PSULω3 exhibited ω3 desaturase activity on both C18 and C20 ω6 polyunsaturated fatty acids while PMD17 exhibited ω3 desaturase activity exclusively on C20 ω6 polyunsaturated fatty acids. Expression of psulω3 and pmd17 in the arachidonic acid–producer Mortierella alpina resulted in transformants that produced eicosapentaenoic acid/total fatty acid values of 38% and 40%, respectively, at ordinary temperatures. These ω3 desaturases should facilitate the construction of sustainable ω3 polyunsaturated fatty acid sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which aims to produce various polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) by using the filamentous fungus Mortierella alpina. It says that the M. alpina species, whose defective mutants have been isolated using N-Methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanide treatment, can produce triacylglycerols rich in arachidonic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, and dihomo-ϒ-linolenic acid. Results show that the M. alpina species is a possible source of PUFA rich triacylglycerols.

The article presents a study which underlines the purification and structural characterization of an insecticidal toxin from the venom of scorpion Liocheles australasiae known as the LaIT2. It shows that the toxin has a molecular mass of 6628.2 dalton and is composed of 59 amino acids with three disulfide bridges. It demonstrates a purified LaIT2 can paralyze an injected prey within 48 hours. In addition, it was found out that it shares sequence similarity to scorpion β-KTx peptides.

The article cites a study that examines changes in the composition and content of mycolic acids in glutamate-overproducing corynebacterium glutamicum. It was found that the cellular content of mycolic acids decreased under all conditions that induced glutamate overproduction. Furthermore, short mycolic acids increased under conditions of biotin limitation and cerulenin supplementation.

Discusses the isolation of three Δ6 desaturase-defective mutants, designated YB214, HR95, and ST66, from Mortiella alpina 1S-4, after treating wild-type spores with N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG). Finding that two functional Δ6 desaturases exist in M. alpina 1S-4; Identification of the mutation sites on the Δ6I gene in the Δ6 desaturase-defective mutants; Amino acid replacement; Polyunsaturated fatty acid.

Describes the cloning and sequencing of the ura3 and ura5 genes, and the isolation and characterization of uracil auxotrophs of the fungus Mortierella alpina 1S-4.

Reports on the isolation and characterization of the MpFAE3 gene, one of the beta-ketoacyl-CoA synthase (KCS) gene family in the liverwort Marchantia polymorpha. Importance of fatty acid chain elongation in the bisoynthesis of long chain fatty acids; Sequence and phylogenic analysis.

Discusses the gene cloning and functional analysis of a second Δ6-fatty acid desaturase from an arachidonic acid-producing Mortierella fungus. Cloning of the two types of M. alpina Δ6-desaturase cDNA; Comparison of the genomic genes of the two Δ6-desaturases from M. alpina 1S-4; Expression of the Mortierella Δ6-desaturase cDNA in A. oryzae.

Presents a functional analysis of a beta-ketoacyl-CoA synthase (KCS) gene, MpFAE2, by gene silencing in the liverwort Marchantia polymorpha L. Isolation of a KCS gene homologue, MpFAE2, from M. polymorpha; Characterization of the putative MpFAE2 product; Transgenic M. polymorpha plants for gene silencing and overexpression of the MpFAE2 gene.

The article presents a study which examines the production of prenyl alcohol by Escherichia coli in the expression of Farnesyl diphosphate (FPP) and geranylgeranyl diphosphate (GGPP) genes. It states the increase in the production of farnesol when the pyruvic acid-producing strain of E. coli was combined with the overexpression of the genes. It also notes the high production yield of geranylgeranoil in mutated FPP and overexpressed isopentenyl disphosphate.