FatB Thioesterase Enzymes for Tailored Midchain Fatty Acid Profiles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for altering fatty acid profiles in organisms, such as plants and microalgae, are limited in their ability to efficiently produce specific chain-length distributions of fatty acids, particularly midchain fatty acids like C8-C16, which are desirable for various industrial applications.
Innovation Solution
The use of nucleic acids encoding acyl-ACP thioesterases with specific substrate preferences, such as those from the FatB gene family, is employed to transform host cells, allowing for the production of altered fatty acid profiles by expressing these enzymes, which convert acyl-ACP chains into specific fatty acids and their derivatives, thereby modifying the oil composition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional fatty acid biosynthesis pathways are used in plants and microalgae, then natural fatty acid profiles are produced, but the ability to efficiently produce specific chain-length distributions (particularly midchain fatty acids C8-C16) is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the fatty acid biosynthesis pathway by introducing discrete, monofunctional FatB thioesterase enzymes that specifically cleave acyl-ACP at defined positions to produce midchain fatty acids (C8-C16). This segmentation allows precise control over chain length distribution, transforming the natural broad spectrum production into a targeted, controlled process that efficiently generates specific fatty acid profiles for industrial applications.
2Manufacturing precision
If FatB genes from various plants are used to alter fatty acid profiles, then specific midchain fatty acid production is achieved, but the complexity of gene cloning and transformation processes increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent identifies and characterizes FatB thioesterase genes from multiple plant species (including Cuphea, Cinnamomum, and other oleaginous plants) that share functional similarity in producing midchain fatty acids. By establishing a universal FatB gene family with conserved catalytic domains and substrate specificities, the invention enables cross-species application of these enzymes in heterologous hosts (microalgae, yeast, bacteria), simplifying the transformation process while maintaining precise fatty acid profile control across different organism systems.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach effectively increases the production of desired midchain fatty acids, such as myristate and laurate, in transformed cells, enhancing the fatty acid profile and enabling the production of tailored oils for food, chemical, and fuel applications.
Implementation Method 1
Type II fatty acid biosynthesis typically involves extension of a growing acyl-ACP (acyl-carrier protein) chain by two carbon units followed by cleavage by an acyl-ACP thioesterase
Implementation Method 2
different FatB genes from various plants have specificities for different acyl chain lengths. As a result, different gene products will produce different fatty acid profiles in plant seeds
Data Source
AI summary
The invention features plant acyl-ACP thioesterase genes of the FatB class and proteins encoded by these genes. The genes are useful for constructing recombinant host cells having altered fatty acid profiles. Oleaginous microalga host cells with the new genes or previously identified FatB genes are disclosed. The microalgae cells produce triglycerides with useful fatty acid profiles.