An acyltransferase is provided, suitable for use in the manufacture of
microbial oils enriched in omega fatty acids in oleaginous organisms.
Specifically, the gene encoding diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DGAT2)
has been isolated from Mortierella alpina. This gene encodes an enzyme
that participates in the terminal step in oil biosynthesis in fungi and
yeast and is expected to play a key role in altering the quantity of
long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids produced in oils of oleaginous
organisms. Most desirably, the substrate specificity of the instant DGAT2
will be particularly useful to enable accumulation of long-chain PUFAs
having chain lengths equal to or greater than C.sub.20 in oleaginous
yeast, such as Yarrowia lipolytica.