Genes involved in astaxanthin biosynthesis
The disclosure is directed to nucleic acid, host cell, and polypeptide compositions encoded by the unicellular green alga Chromochloris zofingiensis , methods of making such compositions, and method of using the compositions to produce astaxanthin.
1. An expression vector comprising a nucleic acid sequence that encodes a polypeptide involved in astaxanthin production, wherein the polypeptide has at least 95% identity to SEQ ID NO:3.
2. The expression vector of claim 1 , wherein the polypeptide comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:3.
3. The expression vector of claim 1 , wherein the nucleic acid sequence is a cDNA or genomic DNA sequence from a Chromochloris zofingiensis gene.
4. The expression vector of claim 1 , wherein the nucleic acid sequence is operably linked to a heterologous promoter.
5. The expression vector of claim 1 , wherein the expression vector is integrated into a host cell chromosome.
6. The expression vector of claim 1 , wherein the nucleic acid sequence has at least 95% identity to SEQ ID NO: 10 or SEQ ID NO: 17.
7. A host cell comprising expression vector of claim 1 .
8. A host cell comprising a heterologous nucleic acid sequence encoding at least one polypeptide involved in astaxanthin production, wherein the at least one polypeptide involved in astaxanthin production has at least 95% identity to SEQ ID NO:3.
9. The host cell of claim 8 , wherein the at least one polypeptide comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:3.
10. The host cell of claim 8 , comprising a heterologous nucleic acid encoding an additional polypeptide, wherein the additional polypeptide comprises an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1, 2, 4, 5, 6, or 7.
11. A method of producing astaxanthin, the method comprising culturing a host cell of claim 7 under conditions in which astaxanthin is produced.
12. An isolated nucleic acid comprising the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:17.