Elongase Gene And Production Of Delta9-polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (Patent US 2005/0089981 A1)

This invention relates to a new elongase gene having the sequence SEQ ID NO: 1 or its derivatives, to a gene construct comprising this sequence or its derivatives and to its use. The inventive nucleic acid sequence encodes a polypeptide which elongates alpha-linolenic acid (C<SUB>18:3 d9, 12, 15</SUB>) by at least two carbon atoms whereas gamma-linolenic acid (C<SUB>18:3 d6, 9, 12</SUB>) is not elongated. The invention additionally relates to vectors or organisms comprising an elongase gene having the sequence SEQ ID NO: 1 or its derivatives. The invention further relates to a process for the production of polyunsaturated fatty acids (=PUFAs) with an organism which comprises the elongase gene and which organism produces high amounts of oils and especially oils with a high content of unsaturated fatty acids. Additionally the invention relates to an oil and/or fatty acid composition with a higher content of polyunsaturated C<SUB>20 </SUB>or C<SUB>22 </SUB>fatty acids with at least two double bonds and/or to a triacylglycerol composition with a higher content of said polyunsaturated fatty acids.