By this invention, compositions and methods of use related to .beta.-ketoacyl-ACP synthase, hereinafter also referred to as "synthase", are provided. Also of interest are methods and compositions of amino acid and nucleic acid sequences related to biologically active plant synthase(s). In particular, synthase protein preparations which have relatively high turnover (specific activity) are of interest for use in a variety of applications, in vitro and in vivo. Especially, protein preparations having synthase I and/or synthase II activities are contemplated hereunder. Synthase activities are distinguished by the preferential activity towards longer and shorter acyl-ACPs. Protein preparations having preferential activity towards shorter chain length acyl-ACPs are synthase I-type. Synthases having preferential activity towards longer chain length acyl-ACPs are synthase II-type. Of special interest are synthases obtainable from Ricinus communis.
本发明提供了与β-酮酰基-ACP合酶相关的组合物和使用方法,以下简称“合酶”。还包括与
生物活性植物合酶相关的
氨基酸和核酸序列的方法和组合物。特别是对于具有相对较高周转率(特异活性)的合酶蛋白制备,在体外和体内的各种应用中具有兴趣。特别是,考虑到合酶I和/或合酶II活性的蛋白质制剂。合酶活性通过对长链和短链酰基-ACP的优先活性来区分。具有对短链酰基-ACP具有优先活性的蛋白质制剂是合酶I型。对长链酰基-ACP具有优先活性的合酶是合酶II型。特别感兴趣的是从蓖麻中获得的合酶。