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    Mar Biotechnol (NY). 2007 Jan-Feb;9(1):92-100. Epub 2006 Nov 30.

    Expression of masu salmon delta5-desaturase-like gene elevated EPA and DHA biosynthesis in zebrafish.

    Alimuddin, Yoshizaki G, Kiron V, Satoh S, Takeuchi T.

    Department of Marine Biosciences, Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology, Minato, Tokyo 108-8477, Japan.

    Farmed fish could substitute for marine capture fish as a source of fatty acids such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) beneficial for human health; however, they require these compounds in their diets. In the present study on a model fish species, we modified the EPA/DHA biosynthesis pathway by overexpression of masu salmon Delta5-desaturase-like gene in zebrafish to increase its ability to synthesize EPA and DHA. Expression of this gene in transgenic fish fed a commercial diet and Artemia helped to improve their EPA content by 1.21-fold and DHA by 1.24-fold. In similar fish that were fed only Artemia the increments were 1.14-fold for EPA and 1.13-fold for DHA, compared with nontransgenic fish. In contrast, eicosatetraenoic acid content decreased, as it is a substrate of Delta5-desaturase, while the total lipid remained constant. The results demonstrated that masu salmon Delta5-desaturase is functional in zebrafish and can modify its fatty acid metabolic pathway. The technique could be applied to farmed fish to generate a nutritionally richer product for human consumption.

    PMID: 17136489 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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