Metabolic Engineering of Plants to Produce Very Long-chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids

Very long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (VLCPUFAs) are essential for human health and well-being. However, the current sources of these valuable compounds are limited and may not be sustainable in the long term. Recently, considerable progress has been made in identifying genes involved in the biosynthesis of VLCPUFAs. The co-expression of these genes in model systems such as plant embryos or yeast provided many valuable insights into the mechanisms of VLCPUFA synthesis. The recent successful reconstitution of pathways leading to the synthesis of arachidonic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid and finally docosahexaenoic acid in oil-seed plants indicates the feasibility of using transgenic crops as alternative sources of VLCPUFAs. The various approaches used to attain these results and the specific constraints associated with each approach are discussed.     

The Benefits and Risks of n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids

There is a growing number of animal models and clinical trials of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFAs) supplementation in disease. Epidemiologic and biochemical studies have suggested beneficial effects of n-3 PUFAs. But also, the use of n-3 PUFAs has some potential toxicological risks that can be circumvented by careless processing, storing, and preserving the PUFAs. The use of n-3 PUFAs is safe if appropriate preparations and dosages are selected. Much research is needed to clarify their use under different disease conditions. The newly established clinical and nutritional facts on n-3 PUFAs will induce industry to develop food products based on this knowledge.     

微生物多不饱和脂肪酸的研究进展

介绍了多不饱和脂肪酸(PUFAs)的微生物来源在微生物体内的代谢途径、分子生物学研究进展以及微生物的发酵生产状况。重点论述了微生物PUFAs的最新分子生物学研究进展。     

多不饱和脂肪酸合成途径研究进展

多不饱和脂肪酸在大多数生物体膜生物学和信号传递过程中起着至关重要的作用。最近研究发现,一些深海生物合成多不饱和脂肪酸并非由饱和脂肪酸的延长及脱饱和反应,而是由聚酮合酶途径(polyketide synthase,PKS)直接合成。介绍多不饱和脂肪酸的生物合成并总结近年来聚酮合酶这一新途径及其分子机制的研究进展。     

二十碳五烯酸和二十二碳六烯酸的生物合成途径研究进展

以二十碳五烯酸(EPA)和二十二碳六烯酸(DHA)为代表的长链多不饱和脂肪酸,对人体心血管系统、神经系统、抗炎免疫系统等有着理想的功效,因而倍受研究者关注。我们从结构、生物来源和合成、生理功能及生物工程途径的研究现状等方面阐述了EPA和DHA的相关信息,并对其生成途径中涉及的酶进行了简要概述。     

植物合成长链多不饱和脂肪酸研究进展

长链不饱和脂肪酸（LC-PUFAs）对人类健康具有重要作用,通过转基因植物生产LC-PUFAs具有低成本、可持续、污染少等诸多优势。本文简要介绍了LC-PUFAs的作用、来源及其植物生物合成途径,综述了转基因植物合成LC-PUFAs的研究进展,并对如何进一步提高LC-PUFAs产量进行了探讨。     

细菌通过聚酮合成酶途径合成多不饱和脂肪酸的研究进展

细菌利用聚酮合成酶途径合成多不饱和脂肪酸是近年发现的新的脂肪酸合成途径。这种途径与常规的由脂肪酸去饱和酶和脂肪酸延长酶引导的脂肪酸合成途径有着本质上的差别。总结了近些年细菌利用聚酮合成酶合成多不饱和脂肪酸这一新途径的研究状况,重点阐明其分子机制,并对其研究趋势及应用前景进行了展望。     

Differential Effects of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids on Membrane Capacitance and Exocytosis in Rat Pheochromocytoma-12 Cells

The fusion of synaptic vesicles with the plasma membrane during exocytosis can be recorded by membrane capacitance measurements under voltage-clamp conditions. These measurements enable high time-resolution quantitation of exocytosis. The present study was carried out using the above technique to elucidate the effects of various polyunsaturated fatty acids on exocytosis in a neuroendocrine cell, the rat pheochromocytoma-12 (PC12) cell. External application of eicosapentaenoic acid and arachidonic acid resulted in an increase in capacitance of PC12 cells, indicating fusion of secretory vesicles with cell membranes and exocytosis. In contrast, docosahexaenoic acid, linoleic acid, oleic acid, and vehicle control had no significant effect on capacitance. The above findings show differential effects of polyunsaturated fatty acids on exocytosis in PC12 cells. It is postulated that besides arachidonic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid could also play an important role in exocytosis and neurotransmitter release, in neurons and hormone-secreting cells. Wee-Liat Ong and Bin Jiang - These authors contributed equally to the work.     

富含不饱和脂肪酸饲料对大鼠血液学指标及主要脏器的影响

目的探讨富含不饱和脂肪酸饲料对SD大鼠血液学指标及主要脏器的影响。方法以富含不饱和脂肪酸的青花椒籽油饲料饲喂断乳SD大鼠60d,试验结束时测定部分血清学和血液细胞学指标及脑、心脏、肝脏、肾脏、脾脏系数,并对心脏、肝脏、肾脏进行病理学观察。结果实验组雄性大鼠与正常对照组同性别大鼠相比,甘油三脂和低密度脂蛋白显著降低（P〈0．05）,实验组饲料极显著提高雄性大鼠大脑系数,极显著提高雄性和雌性大鼠肝脏和肾脏系数（P〈0．01）;心脏、肝脏、肾脏病理学观察结果为阴性。结论富含不饱和脂肪酸饲料对大鼠血清学指标有一定影响,对大鼠心、肝、。肾组织无明显影响。     

Cultivation of Microorganisms in the Cultural Medium Made from Squid Internal Organs and Accumulation of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in the Cells

The disposal and more efficient utilization of marine wastes is becoming increasingly serious. A culture media for microorganisms has been prepared from squid internal organs that are rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). Both freshwater and marine bacteria grew well in this medium and some bacteria accumulated PUFAs in their lipids, suggesting uptake of exogenous PUFAs. Higher PUFA accumulations were observed in Escherichia coli mutant cells defective either in unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis or fatty acid degradation, or both, compared to those without these mutations. Therefore, PUFA accumulation in cells can be improved by genetic modification of fatty acid metabolism in the bacteria. Squid internal organs would be a good source of medium, not only for marine bacteria but also for freshwater bacteria, and that this process may be advantageous to make efficient use of the fishery wastes and to produce PUFA-containing microbial cells and lipids.     

四个脂肪酸合成酶基因在哺乳动物细胞中的超表达提高长链多不饱和脂肪酸生物合成效率

DHA(22:6n-3)、EPA(20:5n-3)和ARA(20:4n-6)三种长链多不饱和脂肪酸在生物体内活性最强,它们在促进大脑发育和功能维持以及在预防和治疗心血管疾病、炎症、癌症等多种疾病方面有着重要作用。然而,尽管哺乳动物体内有完整的长链多不饱和脂肪酸合成酶系,但哺乳动物合成这些长链多不饱和脂肪酸的效率很低而主要依赖于食物获取。本研究应用转基因方法,将哺乳动物来源的Δ6和Δ5脂肪酸去饱和酶以及Δ6和Δ5脂肪酸延长酶这4种酶的编码基因构建成为一个多基因表达载体,然后转染哺乳动物细胞HEK293T,实现了4个目的基因的超表达,再通过气质联用(GC-MS)分析证实了DHA、EPA和ARA等长链多不饱和脂肪酸的合成效率及水平显著增加,DHA的水平更是提高了2.5倍。由此可见,哺乳动物具有某种抑制长链多不饱和脂肪酸高水平合成的机制,但通过Δ6和Δ5脂肪酸去饱和酶以及Δ6和Δ5脂肪酸延长酶的超表达,能够打破哺乳动物这种抑制机制,从而显著提高DHA、EPA、ARA等的合成水平。同时,本研究的思路也为在转基因动物中生产长链多不饱和脂肪酸提供了重要的启示。     

The synthesis and accumulation of stearidonic acid in transgenic plants: a novel source of 'heart-healthy' omega-3 fatty acids

Dietary omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids have a proven role in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease and precursor disease states such as metabolic syndrome. Although most studies have focussed on the predominant omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oils (eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid), recent evidence suggests similar health benefits from their common precursor, stearidonic acid. Stearidonic acid is a Δ6-unsaturated C18 omega-3 fatty acid present in a few plant species (mainly the Boraginaceae and Primulaceae ) reflecting the general absence of Δ6-desaturation from higher plants. Using a Δ6-desaturase from Primula vialii , we generated transgenic Arabidopsis and linseed lines accumulating stearidonic acid in their seed lipids. Significantly, the P. vialii Δ6-desaturase specifically only utilises α-linolenic acid as a substrate, resulting in the accumulation of stearidonic acid but not omega-6 γ-linolenic acid. Detailed lipid analysis revealed the accumulation of stearidonic acid in neutral lipids such as triacylglycerol but an absence from the acyl-CoA pool. In the case of linseed, the achieved levels of stearidonic acid (13.4% of triacylglycerols) are very similar to those found in the sole natural commercial plant source ( Echium spp.) or transgenic soybean oil. However, both those latter oils contain γ-linolenic acid, which is not normally present in fish oils and considered undesirable for heart-healthy applications. By contrast, the stearidonic acid-enriched linseed oil is essentially devoid of this fatty acid. Moreover, the overall omega-3/omega-6 ratio for this modified linseed oil is also significantly higher. Thus, this nutritionally enhanced linseed oil may have superior health-beneficial properties.     

Fatty acid composition of a new marine picoplankton species of the Chromophyta

A marine yellowish picoplankton, strain PP301, which was newly isolated from the surface seawater of the western Pacific Ocean was an eminent producer of polyunsaturated fatty acids. Its fatty acids were mostly shared by the shortest saturated form (14:0, 20–30%) and polyunsaturated forms (20:4, EPA and DHA) which accounted for about 50% of the total fatty acids. The amount of intermediate forms in 16 and 18 carbon chains were very little. This composition was consistently observed irrespective of the growth temperatures (15–35 °C).     

Grouping Newly Isolated Docosahexaenoic Acid-Producing Thraustochytrids Based on Their Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Profiles and Comparative Analysis of 18S rRNA Genes

Seven strains of marine microbes producing a significant amount of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; C22:6, n-3) were screened from seawater collected in coastal areas of Japan and Fiji. They accumulate their respective intermediate fatty acids in addition to DHA. There are 5 kinds of polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) profiles which can be described as (1) DHA/docosapentaenoic acid (DPA; C22:5, n-6), (2) DHA/DPA/eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; C20:5, n-3), (3) DHA/EPA, (4) DHA/DPA/EPA/arachidonic acid (AA; C20:4, n-6), and (5) DHA/DPA/EPA/AA/docosatetraenoic acid (C22:4, n-6). These isolates are proved to be new thraustochytrids by their specific insertion sequences in the 18S rRNA genes. The phylogenetic tree constructed by molecular analysis of 18S rRNA genes from the isolates and typical thraustochytrids shows that strains with the same PUFA profile form each monophyletic cluster. These results suggest that the C20-22 PUFA profile may be applicable as an effective characteristic for grouping thraustochytrids.     

ω-3 多不饱和脂肪酸对PTSD-SPS 大鼠行为学影响的研究

目的:观察饲料中添加ω-3PUFAs对PTSD-SPS大鼠焦虑/抑郁行为的防护作用。方法:将40只健康成年雄性SD大鼠随机分为正常对照组、PTSD-SPS模型组、60%ω-3PUFAs+PTSD-SPS模型组1、60%ω-3PUFAs+PTSD-SPS模型组2。采用高架十字迷宫实验和旷场实验评价实验组大鼠的焦虑/抑郁行为变化。结果:与对照组相比,SPS模型组大鼠进入开放臂的次数比例和时间比例明显减少;中央格停留时间明显缩短(5.56±0.21)s,穿格次数明显减少(30.23±5.96)次,差异均显著(P<0.05)。与SPS模型组相比,60%ω-3PUFAs的SPS组大鼠进入开放臂的次数比例和时间比例明显增加;中央格停留时间明显延长(9.88±1.14)s,穿格次数明显增加(43.22±4.35)次,差异均显著(P<0.05);与对照组相比没有显著差异。结论:膳食补充ω-3多不饱和脂肪酸可以降低PTSD-SPS大鼠焦虑/抑郁程度。     

Enzymatic and Non-Enzymatic Esterification of long Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Lysophosphatidylcholine in Isooctane

Phosphatidylcholine containing large amounts of long polyunsaturated fatty acid, eicosapentaenoic acid (C20:5) and docosahexaenoic acid (C22:6), was synthesized in isooctane. Immobilized phospholipase A₂ was used as a catalyst. A parallel non-enzymatic esterification reaction was investigated in separate experiments.

The concentrations of lyso-phosphatidylcholine, polyunsaturated fatty acids, water and the enzyme were varied over wide ranges as were the temperature and the reaction time. The type of enzyme, carrier and immobilization procedure were held constant.

The yield of phosphatidylcholine was relatively high (about 21%) when the concentration of polyunsaturated fatty acids was high (300 mg/g of reaction mixture) and the water content was low (below 30% of the dry immobilized enzyme). The highest yield of phosphatidylcholine was found at 80 hours and 75°C. However, at this temperature an extensive non-enzymatic reaction between polyunsaturated fatty acids and lyso-phosphatidylcholine occurred. At 80°C the polyunsaturated fatty acids were partly oxidized. Therefore, a temperature of 45°C to 65°C is probably the optimum temperature for the reaction.     

哺乳动物细胞多不饱和脂肪酸合成酶系的重建将亚油酸代谢转变为二十二碳六烯酸

二十二碳六烯酸(DHA,22:6n-3)是一种长度为22个碳原子且含有6个双键的ω-3系多不饱和脂肪酸,在人体中具有重要生物学功能。人体及其他哺乳动物体内只能合成少量的DHA,更多的需求必须从食物中获取。然而,DHA的天然资源(主要是深海鱼类等海洋产品)日趋枯竭,开发新型资源以满足不断扩大的市场需求势在必行。本研究利用转基因技术,在哺乳动物细胞中使Δ6和Δ5脂肪酸去饱和酶以及Δ6和Δ5脂肪酸延长酶超表达,同时表达来源于秀丽隐杆线虫Caenorhabditis elegans的Δ15去饱和酶和小眼虫Euglena gracilis的Δ4去饱和酶,结果表明,这6种酶的表达或超表达能将ω-6系的亚油酸(LA,18:2n-6)有效地转化为DHA(22:6n-3),后者的含量从对照组的16.74%提高到实验组的25.3%。本研究的策略及技术路线为将来利用遗传改造的哺乳动物生产珍稀的DHA(22:6n-3)等长链多不饱和脂肪酸产品提供了重要的启示。     

肠道中多不饱和脂肪酸及其衍生物研究进展

肠道菌群是人体微生态学的重要组成部分,也是最大、最复杂的微生态系统,在宿主的营养吸收、肠道与免疫系统发育等重要生理过程中发挥作用,与人类健康和疾病密切相关。这些共生微生物排除肠道病原体的功能主要依赖于其产生的生物活性物质,如多不饱和脂肪酸等。同时这些脂肪酸在肠道微生物的作用下能够进一步转化为具有特殊结构和功能的多不饱和脂肪酸衍生物。这些多不饱和脂肪酸衍生物对维持健康稳定的肠道菌群至关重要。此外,多不饱和脂肪酸在宿主防御和免疫中发挥了多重关键作用,包括抗癌、抗炎、抗氧化活性,以及降低肠道致病菌的竞争能力等。主要对肠道中多不饱和脂肪酸的来源及其重要的生理功能,以及肠道微生物对多不饱和脂肪酸的转化衍生机制进行了综述,并提出肠道微生物是特殊多不饱和脂肪酸及衍生物生产菌株潜在的种子及基因库,以扩展功能油脂生产菌株的来源。