Nematode fatty acid desaturase-like sequences

Abstract

Nucleic acid molecules from nematodes encoding fatty acid desaturase polypeptides are described. Fatty acid desaturase-like polypeptide sequences are also provided, as are vectors, host cells, and recombinant methods for production of fatty acid desaturase-like nucleotides and polypeptides. Also described are screening methods for identifying inhibitors and/or activators of fatty acid desaturase-like polypeptides, as well as methods for antibody production.

1 - 106 . (canceled)  
     
     
         107 . A method comprising: 
 (a) providing a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of a nematode Δ12 fatty acid desaturase, the polypeptide having Δ12 fatty acid desaturase activity;    (b) contacting the polypeptide with a test compound to; and    (c) measuring the binding of the test compound to the polypeptide.    
     
     
         108 . The method of  claim 107 , further comprising: 
 (d) measuring the Δ12 fatty acid desaturase activity of the polypeptide in the presence of the test compound.    
     
     
         109 . The method of  claim 107 , further comprising: 
 (d) providing a second polypeptide, wherein the second polypeptide comprises the amino acid sequence of a mammalian or plant Δ12 fatty acid desaturase and has Δ12 fatty acid desaturase activity;    (e) contacting the second polypeptide with a test compound; and    (f) measuring the binding of the test compound to the second polypeptide.    
     
     
         110 . A method comprising: 
 (a) providing a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of a nematode Δ12 fatty acid desaturase, the polypeptide having Δ12 fatty acid desaturase activity;    (b) contacting the polypeptide with a test compound; and    (c) measuring a Δ12 fatty acid desaturase activity of the polypeptide, wherein a change in Δ12 fatty acid desaturase activity of the polypeptide in the presence of the test compound relative to the Δ12 fatty acid desaturase activity of the polypeptide in the absence of the test compound is an indication that the test compound alters the Δ12 fatty acid desaturase activity of the polypeptide.    
     
     
         111 . The method of  claim 110 , further comprising: 
 (d) providing a second polypeptide, wherein the second polypeptide comprises the amino acid sequence of a mammalian or plant Δ12 fatty acid desaturase and has Δ12 fatty acid desaturase activity;    (e) contacting the second polypeptide with the test compound; and    (f) measuring a Δ12 fatty acid desaturase activity of the second polypeptide in the presence of the test compound.    
     
     
         112 . The method of  claim 107  or  110  wherein the polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of a nematode Δ12 fatty acid desaturase comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least 70% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:8.  
     
     
         113 . The method of  claim 112  wherein the polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of a nematode Δ12 fatty acid desaturase comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least 80% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 8.  
     
     
         114 . The method of  claim 112  wherein the polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of a nematode Δ12 fatty acid desaturase comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least 90% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 8.  
     
     
         115 . The method of  claim 112  wherein the polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of a nematode Δ12 fatty acid desaturase comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least 95% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 8.  
     
     
         116 . The method of  claim 107  or  110  wherein the polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of a nematode Δ12 fatty acid desaturase comprises an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14.