The Generation of Transgenic Mice with Fat1 and Fad2 Genes that have their own Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Biosynthetic Pathway

Cellular Physiology and Biochemistry

关键词: Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs);    Omega-3 PUFAs;    Omega-6 PUFAs;    Fat-1;    Fad-2;    Transgenic mice;   

DOI  :  10.1159/000354456

学科分类：分子生物学，细胞生物学和基因

来源: S Karger AG

【 摘 要 】

Background Microorganisms and higher plants possess their own omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFAs) biosynthetic pathways. The n-6 fatty acid desaturase gene fad-2 codes for the n-6 desaturase enzyme that coverts oleic acid (OA 181 n-9) into linoleic acid (LA 182 n-6). The n-3 fatty acid desaturase gene fat-1 codes for the n-3 desaturase enzyme that converts n-6 PUFAs into n-3 PUFAs. Mammals lack n-3 and n-6 desaturase enzymes; therefore, they must obtain their omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids by consuming plants or seafood. The beneficial effects of n-3 and n-6 PUFAs on human development and cardiovascular health have been well documented. Methods Here, we generated fat-1 and fad-2 transgenic mice by introducing mammal expression vectors containing the fat-1 and fad-2 genes via microinjection. Results Seven transgenic mice were obtained that expressed functional n-3 and n-6 desaturase enzymes. Analysis of the fatty acid contents of transgenic mouse livers revealed that n-6 and n-3 PUFA levels were greatly increased in the transgenic mice compared to wild-type mice. The use ratios of n-9 PUFAs (181 n-9) and n-6 PUFAs were both greater in the transgenic mice than in the wild-type controls. Conclusion These transgenic mice were capable of producing their own omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. They have the same fatty acid metabolic pathways as higher plants and microbes.

【 授权许可】

CC BY-NC-ND