Production of omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in oilseed crops by a thraustochytrid pufa synthase

Abstract

This disclosure concerns recombinant host organisms genetically modified with a polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) synthase system and one or more accessory proteins that allow for and/or improve the production of PUFAs in the host organism. The disclosure also concerns methods of making and using such organisms as well as products obtained from such organisms.

What may be claimed is: 
     
         1 . Bulk grain of genetically modified  Brassica napus  seed grown in a field, the bulk grain comprising an average DHA content in excess of 2% as a percentage total fatty acids. 
     
     
         2 . The bulk grain of  claim 1  comprising an average DHA content in excess of 3% as a percentage total fatty acids. 
     
     
         3 . The bulk grain of  claim 1  comprising an average DHA content in excess of 4% as a percentage total fatty acids. 
     
     
         4 . A method of making an oil commodity product, the method comprising crushing the bulk grain of  claim 1 , causing the grain to extract its oil, and processing the extracted oil to make an oil commodity product. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the oil comprises DHA in excess of 2% as a percentage total fatty acids. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the oil comprises DHA in excess of 3% as a percentage total fatty acids. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the oil comprises DHA in excess of 4% as a percentage total fatty acids. 
     
     
         8 . Trait stable seed of  Brassica napus  of seed genetically modified to comprise a transgenic event that provides DHA content in excess of 2% as a percentage total fatty acids in grain from seed grown in a field. 
     
     
         9 . The trait stable seed of  claim 8 , wherein the transgenic event provides DHA content in excess of 3% as a percentage total fatty acids in grain from seed grown in a field. 
     
     
         10 . The trait stable seed of  claim 8 , wherein the transgenic event provides DHA content in excess of 4% as a percentage total fatty acids in grain from seed grown in a field 
     
     
         11 . The trait stable seed of  claim 8 , wherein the seed is from a second (T2) or later generation of plants containing the event. 
     
     
         12 . The trait stable seed of  claim 8 , wherein the seed is from a second (T3) or later generation of plants containing the event. 
     
     
         13 . The trait stable seed of  claim 8 , wherein the seed is from a second (T4) or later generation of plants containing the event. 
     
     
         14 . A method of generating bulk grain having grain comprising an average DHA content in excess of 2% as a percentage total fatty acids, the method comprising planting the trait stable seed of  claim 8  in a field, growing plants from the planted seed, and harvesting grain from the plants. 
     
     
         15 . A method of generating bulk grain having grain comprising an average DHA content in excess of 3% as a percentage total fatty acids, the method comprising planting the trait stable seed of  claim 9  in a field, growing plants from the planted seed, and harvesting grain from the plants. 
     
     
         16 . A method of generating bulk grain having grain comprising an average DHA content in excess of 4% as a percentage total fatty acids, the method comprising planting the trait stable seed of  claim 10  in a field, growing plants from the planted seed, and harvesting grain from the plants. 
     
     
         17 . A method of making an oil commodity product, the method comprising crushing the generating bulk grain in accordance with  claim 8 , causing the grain to extract its oil, and processing the extracted oil to make an oil commodity product. 
     
     
         18 . The trait stable seed of  claim 8 , wherein the transgenic event comprises a polynucleotide encoding a polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) synthase from a  Schizochytrium  that produces oil having a significant level of eicosapentaenoic acid (C20:5, n-3) (EPA); a polynucleotide encoding at least one phosphopantetheinyl transferase (PPTase) from a  Nostoc  sp.; and a polynucleotide encoding at least one heterologous  Schizochytrium  acyl-CoA synthetase (ACS).