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

• Main Authors: Yue Chen, Mei Mei, Peng Zhang, Kuiying Ma, Guangqi Song, Xin Ma, Tianchuang Zhao, Bo Tang, Hongsheng Ouyang, Guangpeng Li, Ziyi Li
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cell Physiol Biochem Press GmbH & Co KG 2013-08-01
• Series: Cellular Physiology and Biochemistry
• Subjects: Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs); Omega-3 PUFAs; Omega-6 PUFAs; Fat-1; Fad-2; Transgenic mice
• Online Access: http://www.karger.com/Article/FullText/354456
• ISSN: 1015-8987; 1421-9778

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.