No abstract

This article is available online at http://www.jlr.org "methyl-end" FA desaturases. Therefore, linoleic acid and ␣ -linolenic acid must be provided by the diet ( 3 ). These dietary essential FAs then serve as precursors for longer PUFAs of the n-6 and n-3 series, including arachidonic acid (20:4 n-6) and docosahexaenoic acid (22:6 n-3) required for many important physiological functions in humans ( 4,5 ). In this PUFA biosynthesis, only "front-end" desaturases ( ⌬ 5-and ⌬ 6-desaturases) are involved to introduce new double bonds between the preexisting double bonds and the carboxyl end of FAs ( 6 ).In 2000, the genomic structure of the fatty acid desaturase (FADS) cluster, located on chromosome 11 in humans, was reported ( 7 ). This cluster includes the FADS1 and FADS2 genes that code, respectively, for the well-known ⌬ 5-and ⌬ 6-desaturases involved in PUFA biosynthesis ( 8-10 ). A third gene was identifi ed on this cluster with high degree of nucleotide sequence homology with both FADS1 (62%) and FADS2 (70%) and was therefore named FADS3. Since its fi rst description in humans ( 7 ), FADS3 has been identifi ed in rats ( 11 ), baboons ( 12 ), mice ( 3 ), and many other mammals showing a similar nucleotide sequence and intron/exon organization ( 12 ). When analyzing the peptide sequence deduced from the FADS3 nucleotide sequence, FADS3 protein was identifi ed as a putative desaturase, according to its similarity with FADS1 and FADS2. Indeed, the predicted structure of FADS3 is composed of an N-terminal cytochrome b5-like domain characterized by a HPGG motif shown to be essential for the ⌬ 6-desaturase activity of FADS2 ( 13 ) QIEHH in the rat) characteristic of front-end-desaturases ( 14 ). According to its amino acid sequence, FADS3 was thereafter supposed to Abstract Fatty acid desaturases play critical roles in regulating the biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids in all biological kingdoms. As opposed to plants, mammals are so far characterized by the absence of desaturases introducing additional double bonds at the methyl-end site of fatty acids. However, the function of the mammalian fatty acid desaturase 3 (FADS3) gene remains unknown. This gene is located within the FADS cluster and presents a high nucleotide sequence homology with FADS1 ( ⌬ 5-desaturase) and FADS2 ( ⌬ 6-desaturase). Here, we show that rat FADS3 displays no common ⌬ 5-, ⌬ 6-or ⌬ 9-desaturase activity but is able to catalyze the unexpected ⌬ 13-desaturation of trans -vaccenate. Although there is no standard for complete conclusive identifi cation, structural characterization strongly suggests that the ⌬ 11,13-conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) produced by FADS3 from trans -vaccenate is the trans 11, cis 13-CLA isomer. In rat hepatocytes, knockdown of FADS3 expression specifically reduces trans -vaccenate ⌬ 13-desaturation. Evidence is presented that FADS3 is the fi rst "methyl-end" fatty acid desaturase functionally characterized in mammals. FA desaturases introduce double bonds between defi ned carbons of the fatty acyl chain and catalyze ...

No abstract

Overall, this study shows that Scia, despite its unusual structure, contributes to the FA metabolism and reduced triacylglycerol release by inhibiting SCD1 activity.

Sciadonic acid (Scia) is a Δ5-olefinic fatty acid that is particularly abundant in edible pine seeds and that exhibits an unusual polymethylene-interrupted structure. Earlier studies suggested that Scia inhibited the in vitro expression and activity of the Stearoyl-CoA Desaturase 1 (SCD1), the hepatic Δ9-desaturase involved in the formation of mono-unsaturated fatty acids. To confirm this hypothesis, rats were given 10% Scia in diets balanced out with n-6 and n-3 fatty acids. In those animals receiving the Scia supplement, monoene synthesis in the liver was reduced, which was partly attributed to the inhibition of SCD1 expression. As a consequence, the presence of Scia induced a 50% decrease in triglycerides in blood plasma due to a reduced level of VLDL-secreted triglycerides from the liver. In non-fasting conditions, results showed that Scia-induced inhibition of SCD1 led to a decrease in the proportions of 16:1n-7 and 18:1n-7 in the liver without impacting on the level of 18:1n-9, suggesting that only triglycerides with neosynthesized monoenes are marked out for release. In conclusion, this in vivo study confirms that Scia highly inhibits SCD1 expression and activity. The work was performed on normotriglyceride rats over six weeks, suggesting promising effects on hyper-triglyceridemic models. Sciadonic acid (Scia) is composed of an aliphatic chain with 20 carbons and 3 unsaturations (20:3Δ5,11,14). It is a Δ5-olefinic acid, a fatty acid (FA) group characterized by the presence of a polymethylene-interrupted double bond at C5, as distinct from the more common malonic structure. In the natural environment, Scia is specifically abundant in conifers, although it is also present in trace amounts with different other olefinic structures in slime molds 1 and certain marine invertebrates 2. Seven Δ5-olefinic acids are commonly found in gymnosperms and their composition profile provides a good marker of the plant phylogeny 3,4. Scia is particularly associated with the suborder Taxares, representing up to 26% of the total FA content in Podocarpus nagi 5. It is ubiquitously found in pine nuts, constituting up to 7% of the total FA in Pinus pinaster 6. As it is present in edible seeds and consumed as a nutrient, studies performed on rodent models have been carried out to determine its functional effect. Scia is incorporated in membranes when supplied to the cells and substitutes for arachidonic acid (20:4n-6) in phospholipids such as phosphatidylinositol 7. Consequently, this unusual FA integrates lipid metabolism resulting in the modulation of physiological functions. Scia supplemented to mammal cells induces synthesis of the uncommon 16:2n-6 (Δ7,10), which is subsequently elongated into linoleic acid (18:2n-6 or Δ9,12) 8,9. Scia then reduces the production of modulators causing inflammation that are derived from arachidonic acid 10-13. In rats fed with a Scia-enriched diet, triglyceride levels are lowered in the blood plasma and the liver 14-16. Previous work performed in vitro on hepatocytes showed that Scia inhibited ...

Although many studies focus on senescence mechanisms, few habitually consider age as a biological parameter. Considering the effect of interactions between food and age on metabolism, here we depict the lipid framework of 12 tissues isolated from Sprague-Dawley rats fed standard rodent chow over 1 year, an age below which animals are commonly studied. The aim is to define relevant markers of lipid metabolism influenced by age in performing a fatty acid (FA) and dimethylacetal profile from total lipids. First, our results confirm impregnation of adipose and muscular tissues with medium-chain FA derived from maternal milk during early infancy. Secondly, when animals were switched to standard croquettes, tissues were remarkably enriched in n-6 FA and especially 18:2n-6. This impregnation over time was coupled with a decrease of the desaturation index and correlated with lower activities of hepatic Δ5- and Δ6-desaturases. In parallel, we emphasize the singular status of testis, where 22:5n-6, 24:4n-6, and 24:5n-6 were exceptionally accumulated with growth. Thirdly, 18:1n-7, usually found as a discrete FA, greatly accrued over the course of time, mostly in liver and coupled with Δ9-desaturase expression. Fourthly, skeletal muscle was characterized by a surprising enrichment of 22:6n-3 in adults, which tended to decline in older rats. Finally, plasmalogen-derived dimethylacetals were specifically abundant in brain, erythrocytes, lung, and heart. Most notably, a shift in the fatty aldehyde moiety was observed, especially in brain and erythrocytes, implying that red blood cell analysis could be a good indicator of brain plasmalogens.

The fatty acid desaturase (Fads) cluster is composed of three genes encoding for the Δ5- and Δ6-desaturases and FADS3. The two former proteins are involved in the fatty acid biosynthesis; the latter one shares a high sequence identity but has still no attributed function. In a previous work performed in rat, we described three isoforms of FADS3 expressed in a tissue-dependent manner. In the present study, we demonstrated a specific subcellular targeting depending on the isoform. In cultured hepatocytes, which mainly expressed the 51 kDa protein, FADS3 was unexpectedly present in the cytosolic fraction, but was also secreted in the extracellular matrix on fibronectin-containing fibers. The secretion pathway was investigated and we determined the presence of exosome-like vesicles on the FADS3-stained fibers. In parallel, FADS3 was detected in blood of hepatic vessel, and particularly in serum. In conclusion, this study demonstrated a very specific intra- and extracellular location of FADS3 in comparison with the Δ5- and Δ6-desaturases, suggesting a unique function for this putative desaturase, even if no activity has been yet identified neither in the extracellular matrix of hepatocytes nor in serum.