Agresearch Limited

National Research Council of Canada

Amy Christina Curran

Nicholas John Roberts

Richard William Scott

Somrutai Winichayakul

Marissa Roldan

David Charles Taylor

Elizabeth-France Marillia

The invention provides modified DGAT1 proteins that are modified in the N-terminal region upstream of the acyl-Co A binding site. The modified DGAT proteins show enhanced activity, without reduced protein accumulation when expressed in cells. The modified DGAT1 proteins of the invention can be expressed in cells to increase cellular lipid accumulation and/or modify the cellular lipid profile. The invention also provides polynucleotides encoding the modified DGAT1 proteins, cells and compositions comprising the polynucleotides or modified DGAT proteins, and methods using the modified DGAT1 proteins to produce oil.

Enhanced acyltransferase polynucleotides, polypeptides and methods of use

The invention provides a novel DGAT1 protein with improved properties over known DGAT proteins, particularly known DGAT1 proteins from plants. The novel DGAT1 protein of the invention can be expressed in cells to increase cellular lipid accumulation. Expression of the DGAT1 protein of the invention in cells results in a higher level of lipid than any of several other plant DGAT1 proteins tested by the applicants. The invention provides polynucleotides encoding the novel DGAT1 protein of SEQ ID NO:39, constructs, cells, plant, plant parts and progeny comprising the polynucleotides, and methods of use of the polynucleotides and polypeptides of the invention.

Acyltransferase polynucleotides, polypeptides and methods of use

The invention provides chimeric DGAT1 proteins comprising: a) at their N-terminal ends, an N-terminal portion of a first DGAT1 protein, and b) at their C-terminal ends, a C-terminal portion of a second DGAT1 protein. The chimeric DGAT proteins show enhanced activity relative to at least one of the first DGAT1 protein and the second DGAT1 protein. The chimeric DGAT proteins of the invention can be expressed in cells to increase cellular lipid accumulation and/or modify the cellular lipid profile. The invention also provides polynucleotides encoding the chimeric DGAT1 proteins, cells and compositions comprising the polynucleotides or chimeric DGAT1 proteins, and methods using the chimeric DGAT1 proteins to produce oil.

Growing community of inventors

San Diego, CA, United States of America

Amy Christina Curran