Genetic engineering and breeding of Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (LCPUFA) in Rapeseed

摘要

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (C18, C20 and C22) are essential fatty acids that represent important components in the human diet. Numerous studies demonstrated their health benefits, thus a more regular consumption and an accordingly sustainable source of these compounds is highly recommended. With the aim to produce C20-polyunsaturated fatty acids in plants, we engineered their biosynthesis in transgenic rapeseed and linseed by expressing fatty acyl-desaturases and elongase that have activities not present in agronomically important plants. As a result, we observed significant proportions of C20 polyunsaturated fatty acids including arachidonic and eicosapentaenoic acid.