Journal article
Genetic dissection of polyunsaturated fatty acid synthesis in Caenorhabditis elegans
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences - PNAS, Vol.99(9), pp.5854-5859
04/30/2002
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/113278
PMCID: PMC122866
PMID: 11972048
Abstract
Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are important membrane components and precursors of signaling molecules. To investigate the roles of these fatty acids in growth, development, and neurological function in an animal system, we isolated
Caenorhabditis elegans
mutants deficient in PUFA synthesis by direct analysis of fatty acid composition.
C. elegans
possesses all the desaturase and elongase activities to synthesize arachidonic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid from saturated fatty acid precursors. In our screen we identified mutants with defects in each fatty acid desaturation and elongation step of the PUFA biosynthetic pathway. The fatty acid compositions of the mutants reveal the substrate preferences of the desaturase and elongase enzymes and clearly demarcate the steps of this pathway. The mutants show that
C. elegans
does not require n3 or Δ5-unsaturated PUFAs for normal development under laboratory conditions. However, mutants with more severe PUFA deficiencies display growth and neurological defects. The mutants provide tools for investigating the roles of PUFAs in membrane biology and cell function in this animal model.
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Details
- Title
- Genetic dissection of polyunsaturated fatty acid synthesis in Caenorhabditis elegans
- Creators
- Jennifer L Watts - Institute of Biological Chemistry, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164-6340John Browse - Institute of Biological Chemistry, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164-6340
- Publication Details
- Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences - PNAS, Vol.99(9), pp.5854-5859
- Academic Unit
- Biological Chemistry, Institute of; Molecular Biosciences, School of
- Publisher
- The National Academy of Sciences
- Identifiers
- 99900547722001842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article