| First Author | Chen Y | Year | 2013 |
| Journal | Cell Physiol Biochem | Volume | 32 |
| Issue | 3 | Pages | 523-32 |
| PubMed ID | 24008613 | Mgi Jnum | J:289737 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:6432968 | Doi | 10.1159/000354456 |
| Citation | Chen Y, et al. (2013) The generation of transgenic mice with fat1 and fad2 genes that have their own polyunsaturated fatty acid biosynthetic pathway. Cell Physiol Biochem 32(3):523-32 |
| abstractText | 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 18:1 n-9) into linoleic acid (LA 18:2 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 (18:1 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. |
