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Gene and DNA Sequence
Record information and status
Record ID
Date of creation
2010-09-02 15:04 UTC (german_bch@bvl.bund.de)
Date of last update
2012-07-06 17:07 UTC (dina.abdelhakim@cbd.int)
Date of publication

General information
Name of the gene or DNA sequence
Acyl-acyl carrier protein thioesterase ClFatB4
Category of DNA sequence
  • Protein coding sequence
Is the gene / DNA sequence is a synthetic molecule?
Donor organism
Donor organism
Cuphea lanceolata - Cigar Flower
Characteristics of the protein coding sequence
Name of the protein expressed by the coding sequence
Acyl-acyl carrier protein thioesterase ClFatB4
Biological function
Acyl-acyl carrier protein (Acyl-ACP) thioesterases (TE) hydrolyse the thioester ligation between the ACP (acyl carrier protein) and the synthesised acyl chain in fatty acid biosynthesis. Myristic and palmitic-[ACP] are substrates of the Cuphea lanceolata-derived enzyme which is encoded by the acyl-[ACP] thioesterase gene (ClFatB4). As a result of the formation of this enzyme the oil produced in the seeds of the genetically modified (GM) plants contains myristic acid (C14:0), and increased levels of palmitic acid (C16:0).

Myristic and palmitic acids, the fatty acids formed by this enzyme occur naturally in some plant oils used for human consumption (e.g. coconut oil). There is currently no evidence pointing at a toxic effect from either the enzyme or the new metabolic product.

When used in modern biotechnology the introduced acyl-[ACP] thiosterase is expected to catalyse a reaction similar to that of corresponding enzymes occuring naturally in the seeds of other (wild and cultivated) plant species.
Related trait(s) or use(s) in biotechnology

Records referencing this document (6)
6record(s) found
Country's Decision or any other Communication2 records
Modified Organism2 records
Risk Assessment2 records