Disclosed are novel acyl-CoA synthetases and novel acyltransferases,
nucleic acid molecules encoding the same, recombinant nucleic acid
molecules and recombinant host cells comprising such nucleic acid
molecules, genetically modified organisms (microorganisms and plants)
comprising the same, and methods of making and using the same. Also
disclosed are genetically modified organisms (e.g., plants,
microorganisms) that have been genetically modified to express a PKS-like
system for the production of PUFAs (a PUFA PKS system or PUFA synthase),
wherein the organisms have been modified to express an acyl-CoA
synthetase, to express an acyl transferase, to delete or inactivate a
fatty acid synthase (FAS) expressed by the organism, to reduce
competition for malonyl CoA with the PUFA synthase or to increase the
level of malonyl CoA in the plant or plant cell, and in one aspect, to
inhibit KASII or KASIII. Additional modifications, and methods to make
and use such organisms, in addition to PUFAs and oils obtained from such
organisms, are disclosed, alone with various products including such
PUFAs and oils.