Genetic Regulation of the Bacterial Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Biosynthesis Pathway

Abstract

The production of long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) by marine Gammaproteobacteria , particularly those from deep-sea environments, has been known for decades. These unique fatty acids are produced by a polyketide-type mechanism and subsequently incorporated into the phospholipid membrane. While much research has focused on the biosynthesis genes, their products, and the phylogenetic distribution of these gene clusters, no prior studies have detailed the genetic regulation of this pathway. This study describes how this pathway is regulated under various culture conditions and has identified and characterized a fatty acid-responsive transcriptional regulator specific to PUFA biosynthesis.