The free-living infectious stages of macroparasites, specifically, the cercariae of trematodes (flatworms), are likely to be significant (albeit underappreciated) vectors of nutritionally important polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) to consumers within aquatic food webs, and other macroparasites could serve similar roles. In the context of de novo omega-3 (n-3) PUFA biosynthesis, it was thought that most animals lack the fatty acid (FA) desaturase enzymes that convert stearic acid (18:0) into ɑ-linolenic acid (ALA; 18:3n-3), the main FA precursor for n-3 long-chain PUFA. Recently, novel sequences of these enzymes were recovered from 80 species from six invertebrate phyla, with experimental confirmation of gene function in five phyla. Given this wide distribution, and the unusual attributes of flatworm genomes, we conducted an additional search for genes for de novo n-3 PUFA in the phylum Platyhelminthes. Searches with experimentally confirmed sequences from Rotifera recovered nine relevant FA desaturase sequences from eight species in four genera in the two exclusively endoparasite classes (Trematoda and Cestoda). These results could indicate adaptations of these particular parasite species, or may reflect the uneven taxonomic coverage of sequence databases. Although additional genomic data and, particularly, experimental study of gene functionality are important future validation steps, our results indicate endoparasitic platyhelminths may have enzymes for de novo n-3 PUFA biosynthesis, thereby contributing to global PUFA production, but also representing a potential target for clinical antihelmintic applications.
<p>It is increasingly evident that the aquatic free-living infectious stages (cercariae) of trematodes (flatworms) serve as dietary sources and vectors of nutritionally-important polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) from their molluscan intermediate hosts to higher trophic-level consumers. Here, I investigated whether a change in the algal diets of trematode-infected snails altered the fatty acid (FA) profiles of these hosts or their parasites, thereby affecting their nutritional values. While diet influenced their overall FA profiles, levels of certain essential fatty acids (EFA) were largely unaffected. This suggests that cercariae-mediated trophic transfers of EFA may not be dramatically affected by algal community shifts. I also investigated whether platyhelminths have the necessary enzymes for de novo omega-3 (n-3) PUFA biosynthesis, and found that select taxa (including prominent trematodes) have the relevant genomic sequences. If these genes are functional, then these parasites may be involved in the natural production of essential n-3 PUFA.</p>
<p>It is increasingly evident that the aquatic free-living infectious stages (cercariae) of trematodes (flatworms) serve as dietary sources and vectors of nutritionally-important polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) from their molluscan intermediate hosts to higher trophic-level consumers. Here, I investigated whether a change in the algal diets of trematode-infected snails altered the fatty acid (FA) profiles of these hosts or their parasites, thereby affecting their nutritional values. While diet influenced their overall FA profiles, levels of certain essential fatty acids (EFA) were largely unaffected. This suggests that cercariae-mediated trophic transfers of EFA may not be dramatically affected by algal community shifts. I also investigated whether platyhelminths have the necessary enzymes for de novo omega-3 (n-3) PUFA biosynthesis, and found that select taxa (including prominent trematodes) have the relevant genomic sequences. If these genes are functional, then these parasites may be involved in the natural production of essential n-3 PUFA.</p>
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