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Dietary Supplementation of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors:Marshall L. Deline  Tracy L. Vrablik  Jennifer L. Watts
Affiliation:1.School of Molecular Biosciences, Washington State University;2.Center for Reproductive Biology, Washington State University
Abstract:Fatty acids are essential for numerous cellular functions. They serve as efficient energy storage molecules, make up the hydrophobic core of membranes, and participate in various signaling pathways. Caenorhabditis elegans synthesizes all of the enzymes necessary to produce a range of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids. This, combined with the simple anatomy and range of available genetic tools, make it an attractive model to study fatty acid function. In order to investigate the genetic pathways that mediate the physiological effects of dietary fatty acids, we have developed a method to supplement the C. elegans diet with unsaturated fatty acids. Supplementation is an effective means to alter the fatty acid composition of worms and can also be used to rescue defects in fatty acid-deficient mutants. Our method uses nematode growth medium agar (NGM) supplemented with fatty acidsodium salts. The fatty acids in the supplemented plates become incorporated into the membranes of the bacterial food source, which is then taken up by the C. elegans that feed on the supplemented bacteria. We also describe a gas chromatography protocol to monitor the changes in fatty acid composition that occur in supplemented worms. This is an efficient way to supplement the diets of both large and small populations of C. elegans, allowing for a range of applications for this method.
Keywords:Biochemistry   Issue 81   Caenorhabditis elegans   C. elegans   Nutrition Therapy   genetics (animal and plant)   Polyunsaturated fatty acids   omega-6   omega-3   dietary fat   dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid   germ cells
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