Method for producing polyunsaturated fatty acids in transgenic plants

• US 20090222951A1
• Filed: 02/23/2005
• Published: 09/03/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: BASF Plant Science GmbH (BASF SE)
• Original Assignee: BASF Plant Science GmbH (BASF SE)
• Inventors: Cirpus, Petra, Bauer, Jörg, Qiu, Xiao, Wu, Guohai, Datla, Nagamani
• Granted Patent: US 9,458,436 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 800/281
• CPC Class Codes: A23D 9/00 Other edible oils or fats, e.g. shortenings, cooking oils
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 2800/86 Products or compounds obtained by genetic engineering
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/202 having three or more double bonds, e.g. linolenic eicosanoids, e.g. leukotrienes A61K31/557
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 8/361 Carboxylic acids having more than seven carbon atoms in an unbroken chain; Salts or anhydrides thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 8/922 of vegetable origin
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 19/02 for joint disorders, e.g. arthritis, arthrosis
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 25/00 Drugs for disorders of the nervous system
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 27/02 Ophthalmic agents
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 29/00 Non-central analgesic, antipyretic or antiinflammatory agents, e.g. antirheumatic agents; Non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs [NSAID]
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 3/02 Nutrients, e.g. vitamins, minerals
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 3/04 Anorexiants; Antiobesity agents
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 3/06 Antihyperlipidemics
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 3/10 for hyperglycaemia, e.g. antidiabetics
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 35/00 Antineoplastic agents
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 9/00 Drugs for disorders of the cardiovascular system
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 9/12 Antihypertensives
• CPC Class Codes: A61Q 19/00 Preparations for care of the skin
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 15/82 for plant cells , e.g. plant artificial chromosomes (PACs)
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 15/8247 involving modified lipid metabolism, e.g. seed oil composition
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 9/0071 acting on paired donors with incorporation of molecular oxygen (1.14)
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 9/0083 : Miscellaneous (1.14.99)
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 9/1029 : transferring groups other than amino-acyl groups (2.3.1)
• CPC Class Codes: C12Y 114/19 : with oxidation of a pair of donors resulting in the reduction of molecular oxygen to two molecules of water (1.14.19)

Abstract

The present invention relates to a process for the production of polyunsaturated fatty acids in the seed of transgenic plants for introducing, into the organism, nucleic acids which encode polypeptides with ω3-desaturase, Δ12-desaturase, Δ6-desaturase, Δ6-elongase, Δ5-desaturase, Δ5-elongase and/or Δ4-desaturase activity, preferably polypeptides with Δ6-desaturase, Δ6-elongase and Δ5-desaturase activity. The nucleic acid sequences are the sequences shown in SEQ ID NO: 11, SEQ ID NO: 27, SEQ ID NO: 193, SEQ ID NO: 197, SEQ ID NO: 199 and SEQ ID NO: 201.

These nucleic acid sequences can advantageously be expressed in the organism, if appropriate together with further nucleic acid sequences which encode polypeptides of the biosynthesis of the fatty acid or lipid metabolism. Especially advantageous are nucleic acid sequences which encode a Δ6-desaturase, a Δ5-desaturase, Δ4-desaturase, Δ12-desaturase and/or Δ6-elongase activity. These desaturases and elongases originate advantageously from Thalassiosira, Euglena or Ostreococcus. Furthermore, the invention relates to a process for the production of oils and/or triacylglycerides with an elevated content of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids.

In a preferred embodiment, the invention furthermore relates to a process for the production of arachidonic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid or docosahexaenoic acid and to a process for the production of triglycerides with an elevated content of unsaturated fatty acids, in particular arachidonic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid and/or docosahexaenoic acid, in transgenic plants, advantageously in the seed of the transgenic plant. The invention relates to the generation of a transgenic plant with an elevated content of polyunsaturated fatty acids, in particular arachidonic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid and/or docosahexaenoic acid, as the result of the expression of the elongases and desaturases used in the process according to the invention.

The invention furthermore relates to recombinant nucleic acid molecules comprising the nucleic acid sequences which encode the polypeptides with Δ6-desaturase, Δ6-elongase, Δ5-desaturase and Δ5-elongase activity, either jointly or individually, and transgenic plants which comprise the abovementioned recombinant nucleic acid molecules.

A further part of the invention relates to oils, lipids and/or fatty acids which have been produced by the process according to the invention, and to their use. Moreover, the invention relates to unsaturated fatty acids and to triglycerides with an elevated content of unsaturated fatty acids and to their use.

Claims

1. A process for the production of compounds of the general formula I

2. The process according to claim 1, wherein the variables n, m and p have the following meanings:

n=2, 3 or 5, m=4, 5 or 6 and p=0 or 3.

3. The process according to claim 1, wherein, in formula I, the variables n, m and p have the following meanings:

(a) m=4, n=3, p=3 and the compound is arachidonic acid,

(b) m=5, n=3, p=0 and the compound is eicosapentaenoic acid,

(c) m=5, n=5, p=0 and the compound is docosapentaenoic acid, or

(d) m=6, n=3, p=0 and the compound is docosahexaenoic acid.

4. The process according to claim 2, wherein, in the seed of the transgenic plant, the content of all compounds of the formula I together amounts to at least 27% by weight based on the total lipid content.

5. The process according to claim 3, wherein, in the seed of the transgenic plant, the docosahexaenoic acid content amounts to at least 1% by weight based on the total lipid content.

6. The process according to claim 1, wherein the nucleic acid sequences which encode polypeptides with Δ

9-elongase, Δ

6-desaturase, Δ

8-desaturase, Δ

6-elongase, Δ

5-desaturase, Δ

5-elongase or Δ

4-desaturase activity are selected from the group consisting of

a) a nucleic acid sequence with the sequence shown in SEQ ID NO;

1, SEQ ID NO;

3, SEQ ID NO;

5, SEQ ID NO;

7, SEQ ID NO;

9, SEQ ID NO;

11, SEQ ID NO;

13, SEQ ID NO;

15, SEQ ID NO;

17, SEQ ID NO;

19, SEQ ID NO;

21, SEQ ID NO;

23, SEQ ID NO;

25, SEQ ID NO;

27, SEQ ID NO;

29, SEQ ID NO;

31, SEQ ID NO;

33, SEQ ID NO;

35, SEQ ID NO;

37, SEQ ID NO;

39, SEQ ID NO;

41, SEQ ID NO;

43, SEQ ID NO;

45, SEQ ID NO;

47, SEQ ID NO;

49, SEQ ID NO;

51, SEQ ID NO;

53, SEQ ID NO;

59, SEQ ID NO;

61, SEQ ID NO;

63, SEQ ID NO;

65, SEQ ID NO;

67, SEQ ID NO;

69, SEQ ID NO;

71, SEQ ID NO;

73, SEQ ID NO;

75, SEQ ID NO;

77, SEQ ID NO;

79, SEQ ID NO;

81, SEQ ID NO;

83, SEQ ID NO;

85, SEQ ID NO;

89, SEQ ID NO;

91, SEQ ID NO;

93, SEQ ID NO;

95, SEQ ID NO;

97, SEQ ID NO;

99, SEQ ID NO;

101, SEQ ID NO;

103, SEQ ID NO;

111, SEQ ID NO;

113, SEQ ID NO;

117, SEQ ID NO;

119, SEQ ID NO;

131, SEQ ID NO;

133, SEQ ID NO;

135, SEQ ID NO;

137, SEQ ID NO;

183, SEQ ID NO;

193, SEQ ID NO;

197, SEQ ID NO;

199 or SEQ ID NO;

201, or

b) nucleic acid sequences which, as the result of the degeneracy of the genetic code, can be derived from the amino acid sequences shown in SEQ ID NO;

2, SEQ ID NO;

4, SEQ ID NO;

6, SEQ ID NO;

8, SEQ ID NO;

10, SEQ ID NO;

12, SEQ ID NO;

14, SEQ ID NO;

16, SEQ ID NO;

18, SEQ ID NO;

20, SEQ ID NO;

22, SEQ ID NO;

24, SEQ ID NO;

26, SEQ ID NO;

28, SEQ ID NO;

30, SEQ ID NO;

32, SEQ ID NO;

34, SEQ ID NO;

36, SEQ ID NO;

38, SEQ ID NO;

40, SEQ ID NO;

42, SEQ ID NO;

44, SEQ ID NO;

46, SEQ ID NO;

48, SEQ ID NO;

50, SEQ ID NO;

52, SEQ ID NO;

54, SEQ ID NO;

60, SEQ ID NO;

62, SEQ ID NO;

64, SEQ ID NO;

66, SEQ ID NO;

68, SEQ ID NO;

70, SEQ ID NO;

72, SEQ ID NO;

74, SEQ ID NO;

76, SEQ ID NO;

78, SEQ ID NO;

80, SEQ ID NO;

82, SEQ ID NO;

84, SEQ ID NO;

86, SEQ ID NO;

88, SEQ ID NO;

92, SEQ ID NO;

94, SEQ ID NO;

96, SEQ ID NO;

98, SEQ ID NO;

100, SEQ ID NO;

102, SEQ ID NO;

104, SEQ ID NO;

112, SEQ ID NO;

114, SEQ ID NO;

118, SEQ ID NO;

120, SEQ ID NO;

132, SEQ ID NO;

134, SEQ ID NO;

136, SEQ ID NO;

138, SEQ ID NO;

184, SEQ ID NO;

194, SEQ ID NO;

198, SEQ ID NO;

200 or SEQ ID NO;

202, or

c) derivatives of the nucleic acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO;

1, SEQ ID NO;

3, SEQ ID NO;

5, SEQ ID NO;

7, SEQ ID NO;

9, SEQ ID NO;

11, SEQ ID NO;

13, SEQ ID NO;

15, SEQ ID NO;

17, SEQ ID NO;

19, SEQ ID NO;

21, SEQ ID NO;

23, SEQ ID NO;

25, SEQ ID NO;

27, SEQ ID NO;

29, SEQ ID NO;

31, SEQ ID NO;

33, SEQ ID NO;

35, SEQ ID NO;

37, SEQ ID NO;

39, SEQ ID NO;

41, SEQ ID NO;

43, SEQ ID NO;

45, SEQ ID NO;

47, SEQ ID NO;

49, SEQ ID NO;

51, SEQ ID NO;

53, SEQ ID NO;

59, SEQ ID NO;

61, SEQ ID NO;

63, SEQ ID NO;

65, SEQ ID NO;

67, SEQ ID NO;

69, SEQ ID NO;

71, SEQ ID NO;

73, SEQ ID NO;

75, SEQ ID NO;

77, SEQ ID NO;

79, SEQ ID NO;

81, SEQ ID NO;

83, SEQ ID NO;

85, SEQ ID NO;

89, SEQ ID NO;

91, SEQ ID NO;

93, SEQ ID NO;

95, SEQ ID NO;

97, SEQ ID NO;

99, SEQ ID NO;

101, SEQ ID NO;

103, SEQ ID NO;

111, SEQ ID NO;

113, SEQ ID NO;

117, SEQ ID NO;

119, SEQ ID NO;

131, SEQ ID NO;

133, SEQ ID NO;

135, SEQ ID NO;

137, SEQ ID NO;

183, SEQ ID NO;

193, SEQ ID NO;

197, SEQ ID NO;

199 or SEQ ID NO;

201, which encode polypeptides with at least 40% identity at the amino acid level with SEQ ID NO;

2, SEQ ID NO;

4, SEQ ID NO;

6, SEQ ID NO;

8, SEQ ID NO;

10, SEQ ID NO;

12, SEQ ID NO;

14, SEQ ID NO;

16, SEQ ID NO;

18, SEQ ID NO;

20, SEQ ID NO;

22, SEQ ID NO;

24, SEQ ID NO;

26, SEQ ID NO;

28, SEQ ID NO;

30, SEQ ID NO;

32, SEQ ID NO;

34, SEQ ID NO;

36, SEQ ID NO;

38, SEQ ID NO;

40, SEQ ID NO;

42, SEQ ID NO;

44, SEQ ID NO;

46, SEQ ID NO;

48, SEQ ID NO;

50, SEQ ID NO;

52, SEQ ID NO;

54, SEQ ID NO;

60, SEQ ID NO;

62, SEQ ID NO;

64, SEQ ID NO;

66, SEQ ID NO;

68, SEQ ID NO;

70, SEQ ID NO;

72, SEQ ID NO;

74, SEQ ID NO;

76, SEQ ID NO;

78, SEQ ID NO;

80, SEQ ID NO;

82, SEQ ID NO;

84, SEQ ID NO;

86, SEQ ID NO;

88, SEQ ID NO;

92, SEQ ID NO;

94, SEQ ID NO;

96, SEQ ID NO;

98, SEQ ID NO;

100, SEQ ID NO;

102, SEQ ID NO;

104, SEQ ID NO;

112, SEQ ID NO;

114, SEQ ID NO;

118, SEQ ID NO;

120, SEQ ID NO;

132, SEQ ID NO;

134, SEQ ID NO;

136, SEQ ID NO;

138, SEQ ID NO;

184, SEQ ID NO;

194, SEQ ID NO;

198, SEQ ID NO;

200 or SEQ ID NO;

202 and which have Δ

9-elongase, Δ

6-desaturase, Δ

8-desaturase, Δ

6-elongase, Δ

5-desaturase, Δ

5-elongase or Δ

4-desaturase activity.

7. The process according to claim 1, wherein a nucleic acid sequence which encodes polypeptides with ω

3-desaturase activity, selected from the group consisting of;

a) a nucleic acid sequence with the sequence shown in SEQ ID NO;

87 or SEQ ID NO;

105, or

b) nucleic acid sequences which, as the result of the degeneracy of the genetic code, can be derived from the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO;

88 or SEQ ID NO;

106, or

c) derivatives of the nucleic acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO;

87or SEQ ID NO;

105, which encode polypeptides with at least 60% identity at the amino acid level with SEQ ID NO;

88 or SEQ ID NO;

106 and which have ω

3-desaturase activity

is additionally introduced into the transgenic plant.

8. The process according to claim 1, wherein a nucleic acid sequence which encodes polypeptides with Δ

12-desaturase activity, selected from the group consisting of;

a) a nucleic acid sequence with the sequence shown in SEQ ID NO;

107, SEQ ID NO;

109 or SEQ ID NO;

195, or

b) nucleic acid sequences which, as the result of the degeneracy of the genetic code, can be derived from the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO;

108, SEQ ID NO;

110 or SEQ ID NO;

196, or

c) derivatives of the nucleic acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO;

107, SEQ ID NO;

109 or SEQ ID NO;

195, which encode polypeptides with at least 60% identity at the amino acid level with SEQ ID NO;

108, SEQ ID NO;

110 or SEQ ID NO;

196 and which have Δ

12-desaturase activity

is additionally introduced into the transgenic plant.

9. The process according to claim 1, wherein a nucleic acid sequence which encodes proteins of the biosynthetic pathway of the fatty acid or lipid metabolism selected from the group acyl-CoA dehydrogenase(s), acyl-ACP [=acyl carrier protein] desaturase(s), acyl-ACP thioesterase(s), fatty acid acyltransferase(s), acyl-CoA:

lysophospholipid acyltransferase(s), fatty acid synthase(s), fatty acid hydroxylase(s), acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase(s), acyl-coenzyme A oxidase(s), fatty acid desaturase(s), fatty acid acetylenases, lipoxygenases, triacylglycerol lipases, allenoxide synthases, hydroperoxide lyases or fatty acid elongase(s) is additionally introduced into the transgenic plant.

10. The process according to claim 1, wherein the substituents R² or R³ independently of one another are saturated or unsaturated C₁₈-C₂₂-alkylcarbonyl.

11. The process according to claim 1, wherein the substituents R² or R³ independently of one another are unsaturated C₁₈-, C₂₀- or C₂₂-alkylcarbonyl with at least two double bonds.

12. The process according to claim 1, wherein the transgenic plant is selected from the group consisting of an oil-producing plant, a vegetable plant and an ornamental.

13. The process according to claim 1, wherein the transgenic plant is selected from the group of the plant families consisting of:

Anacardiaceae, Asteraceae, Boraginaceae, Brassicaceae, Cannabaceae, Compositae, Cruciferae, Cucurbitaceae, Elaeagnaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Fabaceae, Geraniaceae, Gramineae, Leguminosae, Linaceae, Malvaceae, Moringaceae, Marchantiaceae, Onagraceae, Olacaceae, Oleaceae, Papaveraceae, Piperaceae, Pedaliaceae, Poaceae and Solanaceae.

14. The process according to claim 1, wherein the compounds of the general formula I are isolated from the transgenic plant in the form of their oils, lipids or free fatty acids.

15. A process for the production, in transgenic plants, of compounds of the general formula I according to claim 1, comprising:

a) introducing, into a plant, at least one nucleic acid sequence which encodes a polypeptide with a Δ

6-desaturase activity and is selected from the group consisting of;

i) a nucleic acid sequence with the sequence shown in SEQ ID NO;

193 or SEQ ID NO;

201,

ii) nucleic acid sequences which encode the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO;

194 or SEQ ID NO;

202,

iii) nucleic acid sequences which hybridize under stringent conditions with the complementary strand of the nucleic acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO;

193 or SEQ ID NO;

201, and

iv) nucleic acid sequences which have at least 60% identity with the sequence shown in SEQ ID NO;

193 or SEQ ID NO;

201,

b) introducing, into the plant, at least one nucleic acid sequence which encodes a polypeptide with a Δ

6-elongase activity and is selected from the group consisting of;

i) a nucleic acid sequence with the sequence shown in SEQ ID NO;

27 or SEQ ID NO;

199,

ii) nucleic acid sequences which encode the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO;

28 or SEQ ID NO;

200,

iii) nucleic acid sequences which hybridize under stringent conditions with the complementary strand of the nucleic acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO;

27 or SEQ ID NO;

199, and

iv) nucleic acid sequences which have at least 60% identity with the sequence shown in SEQ ID NO;

27 or SEQ ID NO;

199, and

c) introducing, into a the plant, at least one nucleic acid sequence which encodes a polypeptide with a Δ

5-desaturase activity and is selected from the group consisting of;

i) a nucleic acid sequence with the sequence shown in SEQ ID NO;

11,

ii) nucleic acid sequences which encode the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO;

12,

iii) nucleic acid sequences which hybridize under stringent conditions with the complementary strand of the nucleic acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO;

11, and

iv) nucleic acid sequences which have at least 60% identity with the sequence shown in SEQ ID NO;

11,

where the variables and substituents in formula I have the meaning given in claim 1.

16. The process according to claim 15, where the substituents R² or R³ independently of one another are saturated or unsaturated C₁₀-C₂₂-alkylcarbonyl.

17. The process according to claim 15, wherein the substituents R² or R³ independently of one another are unsaturated C₁₈, C₂₀- or C₂₂-alkylcarbonyl with at least two double bonds.

18. The process according to claim 15, wherein a nucleic acid sequence which encodes a polypeptide with a Δ

12-desaturase activity is additionally introduced into the plant.

19. The process according to claim 18, wherein the nucleic acid sequence is selected from the group consisting of:

a) a nucleic acid sequence with the sequence shown in SEQ ID NO;

195,

b) nucleic acid sequences which encode the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO;

196,

c) nucleic acid sequences which hybridize under stringent conditions with the complementary strand of the nucleic acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO;

195, and

d) nucleic acid sequences which have at least 60% identity with the sequence shown in SEQ ID NO;

195.

20. The process according to claim 18, wherein the Δ

12-desaturase is expressed under the control of a seed-specific promoter.

21. The process according to claim 15, wherein a nucleic acid sequence which encodes a polypeptide with a Δ

5-elongase activity is additionally introduced into the plant.

22. The process according to claim 21, wherein the nucleic acid sequence is selected from the group consisting of:

a) a nucleic acid sequence with the sequence shown in SEQ ID NO;

43, SEQ ID NO;

47, SEQ ID NO;

49, SEQ ID NO;

51, SEQ ID NO;

53, SEQ ID NO;

59, SEQ ID NO;

61, SEQ ID NO;

63, SEQ ID NO;

65, SEQ ID NO;

67, SEQ ID NO;

75, SEQ ID NO;

77, SEQ ID NO;

79, SEQ ID NO;

83, SEQ ID NO;

85, SEQ ID NO;

113, SEQ ID NO;

117, SEQ ID NO;

119, SEQ ID NO;

131, SEQ ID NO;

133, SEQ ID NO;

135, SEQ ID NO;

137 or SEQ ID NO;

197,

b) nucleic acid sequences which encode the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO;

44, SEQ ID NO;

48, SEQ ID NO;

50, SEQ ID NO;

52, SEQ ID NO;

54, SEQ ID NO;

60, SEQ ID NO;

62, SEQ ID NO;

64, SEQ ID NO;

66, SEQ ID NO;

68, SEQ ID NO;

76, SEQ ID NO;

78, SEQ ID NO;

80, SEQ ID NO;

81, SEQ ID NO;

86, SEQ ID NO;

114, SEQ ID NO;

118, SEQ ID NO;

120, SEQ ID NO;

132, SEQ ID NO;

134, SEQ ID NO;

136, SEQ ID NO;

138 or SEQ ID NO;

198,

c) nucleic acid sequences which hybridize under stringent conditions with the complementary strand of the nucleic acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO;

43, SEQ ID NO;

47, SEQ ID NO;

49, SEQ ID NO;

51, SEQ ID NO;

53, SEQ ID NO;

59, SEQ ID NO;

61, SEQ ID NO;

63, SEQ ID NO;

65, SEQ ID NO;

67, SEQ ID NO;

75, SEQ ID NO;

77, SEQ ID NO;

79, SEQ ID NO;

83, SEQ ID NO;

85, SEQ ID NO;

113, SEQ ID NO;

117, SEQ ID NO;

119, SEQ ID NO;

131, SEQ ID NO;

133, SEQ ID NO;

135, SEQ ID NO;

137 or SEQ ID NO;

197, and

d) nucleic acid sequences which have at least 60% identity with the sequence shown in SEQ ID NO;

43, SEQ ID NO;

47, SEQ ID NO;

49, SEQ ID NO;

51, SEQ ID NO;

53, SEQ ID NO;

59, SEQ ID NO;

61, SEQ ID NO;

63, SEQ ID NO;

65, SEQ ID NO;

67, SEQ ID NO;

75, SEQ ID NO;

77, SEQ ID NO;

79, SEQ ID NO;

83, SEQ ID NO;

85, SEQ ID NO;

113, SEQ ID NO;

117, SEQ ID NO;

119, SEQ ID NO;

131, SEQ ID NO;

133, SEQ ID NO;

135, SEQ ID NO;

137 or SEQ ID NO;

197.

23. The process according to claim 21, wherein the Δ

5-elongase is expressed under the control of a seed-specific promoter.

24. The process according to claim 15, wherein all nucleic acid sequences are introduced into the plants on a shared recombinant nucleic acid molecule.

25. The process according to claim 24, wherein each nucleic acid sequence is under the control of its own promoter.

26. The process according to claim 25, wherein the own promoter is a seed-specific promoter.

27. The process according to claim 15, wherein, in formula I, the variables n, m and p have the following meanings:

(a) m=4, n=3, p=3 and the compound is arachidonic acid,

(b) m=5, n=3, p=0 and the compound is eicosapentaenoic acid, or

(c) m=6, n=3, p=0 and the compound is docosahexanoic acid.

28. The process according to claim 15, wherein the plant is an oil seed plant or oil fruit plant.

29. The process according to claim 28, wherein the plant is selected from the group consisting of soybean, peanut, oilseed rape, canola, linseed, evening primrose, mullein, thistle, hazelnut, almond, macadamia, avocado, bay, wild roses, pumpkin/squash, pistachios, sesame, sunflower, safflower, borage, maize, poppy, mustard, hemp, castor-oil plant, olive, Calendula, Punica, oil palm, walnut and coconut.

30. The process according to claim 28, wherein the plant is Brassica juncea.

31. The process according to claim 15, wherein the compounds of the formula I are obtained from the plant in the form of their oils, lipids and free fatty acids.

32. The process according to claim 31, wherein unsaturated or saturated fatty acids are liberated from the compounds of the formula I.

33. The process according to claim 32, wherein the liberation is effected by alkaline hydrolysis or enzymatic cleavage.

34. The process according to claim 27, wherein the arachidonic acid concentration amounts to at least 25% based on the total lipid content of the transgenic plant.

35. The process according to claim 27, wherein the eicosapentaenoic acid concentration amounts to at least 15% based on the total lipid content of the transgenic plant.

36. An oil, lipid or fatty acid or a fraction thereof, obtained by the process according to claim 1.

38. A recombinant nucleic acid molecule comprising:

a) one or more copies of a promoter which is active in plant cells, preferably in seed cells,

b) at least one nucleic acid sequence as defined in claim 15 which encodes a Δ

6-desaturase activity,

c) at least one nucleic acid sequence as defined in claim 15 which encodes a Δ

5-desaturase activity,

d) at least one nucleic acid sequence as defined in claim 15 which encodes a Δ

6-elongase activity, and

e) one or more copies of a terminator sequence.

39. The recombinant nucleic acid molecule according to claim 38, additionally comprising a nucleic acid sequence which encodes a polypeptide with Δ

12-desaturase activity.

40. The recombinant nucleic acid molecule according to claim 38, additionally comprising a nucleic acid sequence which encodes a polypeptide with Δ

5-elongase activity.

41. The recombinant nucleic acid molecule according to claim 38, additionally comprising biosynthesis genes of the fatty acid or lipid metabolism selected from the group consisting of acyl-CoA dehydrogenase(s), acyl-ACP [=acyl carrier protein] desaturase(s), acyl-ACP thioesterase(s), fatty acid acyltransferase(s), acyl-CoA:

lysophospholipid acyltransferase(s), fatty acid synthase(s), fatty acid hydroxylase(s), acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase(s), acyl-coenzyme A oxidase(s), fatty acid desaturase(s), fatty acid acetylenases, lipoxygenases, triacylglycerol lipases, allenoxide synthases, hydroperoxide lyases and fatty acid elongase(s).

42. The recombinant nucleic acid molecule according to claim 38, additionally comprising biosynthesis genes of the fatty acid or lipid metabolism, selected from the group consisting of Δ

4-desaturase, Δ

8-desaturase, Δ

9-desaturase or Δ

9-elongase.

43. A transgenic plant comprising the recombinant nucleic acid molecule according to claim 38.

44. The process according to claim 15, wherein the compounds of the general formula I are isolated from the transgenic plant in the form of their oils, lipids or free fatty acids.

45. An oil, lipid or fatty acid or a fraction thereof, produced by the process according to claim 15.

46. An oil, lipid or fatty acid composition which comprises PUFAs produced by the process according to claim 1 and which is derived from the transgenic plants.

47. A process for the production of oils, lipids or fatty acid compositions by mixing the oil, lipid or fatty acid compositions according to claim 46 with animal or microbial oils, lipids or fatty acids.

48. Feed, foodstuffs, cosmetics or pharmaceuticals prepared from the oil, lipid or fatty acid compositions according to claim 46.

37. (canceled)

49. An isolated nucleic acid sequence which encodes polypeptides with Δ

5-elongase activity and which has the sequence shown in SEQ ID NO;

197.

52. A gene construct comprising the isolated nucleic acid according to claim 49, wherein the nucleic acid is linked functionally to one or more regulatory signals.

53. The gene construct according to claim 52, wherein the nucleic acid construct comprises additional biosynthesis genes of the fatty acid or lipid metabolism selected from the group acyl-CoA dehydrogenase(s), acyl-ACP [=acyl carrier protein] desaturase(s), acyl-ACP thioesterase(s), fatty acid acyltransferase(s), acyl-CoA:

lysophospholipid acyltransferase(s), fatty acid synthase(s), fatty acid hydroxylase(s), acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase(s), acyl-coenzyme A oxidase(s), fatty acid desaturase(s), fatty acid acetylenases, lipoxygenases, triacylglycerol lipases, allenoxide synthases, hydroperoxide lyases or fatty acid elongase(s).

61. A vector comprising the gene construct according to claim 52.

63. A transgenic plant comprising at least one gene construct according to claim 52.

50. An isolated nucleic acid sequence which encodes polypeptides with Δ

6-elongase activity and which has the sequence shown in SEQ ID NO;

199.

54. A vector comprising the isolated nucleic acid according to claim 50.

55. A transgenic plant comprising at least one nucleic acid according to claim 50.

56. A gene construct comprising the isolated nucleic acid according to claim 50, wherein the nucleic acid is linked functionally to one or more regulatory signals.

58. The gene construct according to claim 56, wherein the nucleic acid construct comprises additional biosynthesis genes of the fatty acid or lipid metabolism selected from the group acyl-CoA dehydrogenase(s), acyl-ACP [=acyl carrier protein] desaturase(s), acyl-ACP thioesterase(s), fatty acid acyltransferase(s), acyl-CoA:

lysophospholipid acyltransferase(s), fatty acid synthase(s), fatty acid hydroxylase(s), acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase(s), acyl-coenzyme A oxidase(s), fatty acid desaturase(s), fatty acid acetylenases, lipoxygenases, triacylglycerol lipases, allenoxide synthases, hydroperoxide lyases or fatty acid elongase(s).

51. An isolated nucleic acid sequence which encodes polypeptides with Δ

6-desaturase activity and which has the sequence shown in SEQ ID NO;

201.

57. A gene construct comprising the isolated nucleic acid according to claim 51, wherein the nucleic acid is linked functionally to one or more regulatory signals.

59. The gene construct according to claim 57, wherein the nucleic acid construct comprises additional biosynthesis genes of the fatty acid or lipid metabolism selected from the group acyl-CoA dehydrogenase(s), acyl-ACP [=acyl carrier protein] desaturase(s), acyl-ACP thioesterase(s), fatty acid acyltransferase(s), acyl-CoA:

lysophospholipid acyltransferase(s), fatty acid synthase(s), fatty acid hydroxylase(s), acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase(s), acyl-coenzyme A oxidase(s), fatty acid desaturase(s), fatty acid acetylenases, lipoxygenases, triacylglycerol lipases, allenoxide synthases, hydroperoxide lyases or fatty acid elongase(s).

60. A vector comprising the isolated nucleic acid according to claim 51.

62. A transgenic plant comprising at least one nucleic acid according to claim 51.