Outlining eicosanoid biosynthesis in the crustacean Daphnia.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Eicosanoids are biologically active, oxygenated metabolites of three C20 polyunsaturated fatty acids. They act as signalling molecules within the autocrine or paracrine system in both vertebrates and invertebrates mainly functioning as important mediators in reproduction, the immune system and ion transport. The biosynthesis of eicosanoids has been intensively studied in mammals and it is known that they are synthesised from the fatty acid, arachidonic acid, through either the cyclooxygenase (COX) pathway; the lipoxygenase (LOX) pathway; or the cytochrome P450 epoxygenase pathway. However, little is still known about the synthesis and structure of the pathway in invertebrates.

Results

Here, we show transcriptomic evidence from Daphnia magna (Crustacea: Branchiopod

SUBMITTER: Heckmann LH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2483973 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature