NOVEL NEUROSPORA-CRASSA MUTANTS WITH ALTERED SYNTHESIS OF POLYUNSATURATED FATTY-ACIDS

Five new mutants of Neurospora crassa that require supplementation wit h unsaturated fatty acids have been isolated. The mutants, designated pfa, are impaired in the synthesis of the polyunsaturated fatty acids alpha-linoleic or alpha-linolenic acid, but are able to synthesize ole ic acid. The pfa mutants are thus distinct from previously described u fa mutants, which are unable to synthesize oleic acid. The five pfa mu tants map to distinct loci, and have characteristic patterns of incorp oration of [C-14]acetate and [C-14]oleate into their fatty acids.