Genetic Manipulation of the Extent of Desaturation of Fatty Acids in Membrane Lipids in the Cyanobacterium Synechocystis PCC6803 : ENVIRONMENTAL AND STRESS RESPONSES : MEMBRANES AND BIOENERGETICS

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The desA gene of the cyanobacterium, Synechocystis PCC6803, is responsible for the desaturation of fatty acids at the Δ^<12> position [Wada et al. (1990) Nature 347: 200]. A disrupted desA gene, which was interrupted by the kanamycin-resistance gene cartridge, was constructed to allow manipulation of the extent of desaturation of fatty acids in the membrane lipids of Synechocystis PCC6803. Wild-type cells and those of a mutant, Fad6, which is defective in desaturation at the Δ^6 position of C_<18> fatty acids, were transformed with this disrupted gene. The resultant transformant of the wild type lacked trienoic acids and contained a very reduced level of dienoic acids, and the transformant of Fad6 contained only saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids. With use of these genetically manipulated strains physiological roles of polyunsaturated fatty acids were studied. The experimental results suggest that the polyunsaturated fatty acids are necessary for growth and tolerance to photoinhibition of photosynthesis at low temperature.
日本植物生理学会の論文