Project description:Folic acid deficiency is common worldwide and is linked to intestinal flora imbalance. The intestinal microbial utilization of folic acid based on model animals faces the challenges of repeatability and individual variability. In this study, we built an in vitro fecal slurry culture model deficient in folic acid. We examined the effects of supplementation with different forms of folic acid (5-methyltetrahydrofolate and non-reduced folic acid) on the modulation of intestinal flora. 16S rDNA gene sequencing showed alpha diversity increased after folic acid supplementation compared to fermentation samples with folic acid deficiency. In the non-reduced folic acid (FA) group, the relative abundance of the Firmicutes phylum dropped to 56.7%, whereas in the 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (MTHF) supplementation group, it grew to 64.9%. Lactobacillus genera became more prevalent, reaching 22.8% and 30.8%, respectively. Additionally, Bifidobacterium and Pedioccus, two common probiotic bacteria, were in higher abundance. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) analysis showed that supplementation with folic acid (non-reduced folic acid, 5-methyltetrahydrofolate) decreased acetic acid and increased the fermentation yield of isobutyric acid. The in vitro fecal slurry culture model developed in this study can be utilized as a human folic acid deficiency model for studying intestinal microbiota and demonstrated that both 5-methyltetrahydrofolate and non-reduced folic acid have effects on the regulation of intestinal microecology.
Project description:Arabidopsis seeds expressing the castor fatty acid hydroxylase accumulate hydroxylated fatty acids up to 17% of total fatty acids in seed triacylglycerols, however total seed oil is also reduced up to 50%. Investigations into the cause of the reduced oil phenotype through in vivo [14C]acteate and [3H]2O metabolic labeling of developing seeds surprisingly revealed that the rate of de novo fatty acid synthesis within the transgenic seeds was approximately half that of control seeds. Addition of castor phospholipid:diacylglycerol acyltransferase (PDAT) increased hydroxylated fatty acid content of the seed oil, increased the rate of fatty acid synthesis, and mostly restored seed oil levels. RNAseq analysis indicated no changes in expression of fatty acid synthesis genes in hydroxylase-expressing plants. Transcript profiles of Arabidopsis developing seeds of three lines, at three stages of development were generated by deep sequencing, in triplicate, using Illumina.
Project description:Arabidopsis seeds expressing the castor fatty acid hydroxylase accumulate hydroxylated fatty acids up to 17% of total fatty acids in seed triacylglycerols, however total seed oil is also reduced up to 50%. Investigations into the cause of the reduced oil phenotype through in vivo [14C]acteate and [3H]2O metabolic labeling of developing seeds surprisingly revealed that the rate of de novo fatty acid synthesis within the transgenic seeds was approximately half that of control seeds. Addition of castor phospholipid:diacylglycerol acyltransferase (PDAT) increased hydroxylated fatty acid content of the seed oil, increased the rate of fatty acid synthesis, and mostly restored seed oil levels. RNAseq analysis indicated no changes in expression of fatty acid synthesis genes in hydroxylase-expressing plants.
Project description:Here, we investigated marine thraustochytrid Schizochytrium limacinum SR21 for its ability to convert waste oil, mixture of commercial oils (mCOs) and volatile fatty acids i.e., acetic acid and butyric acid into ω-3 fatty acid; docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Metabolic insights through whole cell transcriptomic aid in tracing the route of substrate assimilation.
Project description:In response to biotic stress, plants produce suites of highly modified fatty acids that bear unusual chemical functionality. Despite their chemical complexity and proposed roles in pathogen defense, little is known about the biosynthesis of these decorated fatty acids in plants. Falcarindiol is a prototypical acetylenic lipid present in carrot, tomato, and celery that inhibits growth of fungi and human cancer cell lines. Using a combination of untargeted metabolomics and RNA sequencing, we discovered a biosynthetic gene cluster in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) that is required for the production of falcarindiol in response to an adapted fungal pathogen, Cladosporium fulvum. By reconstituting the initial biosynthetic steps in a heterologous host (Nicotiana benthamiana) and generating transgenic pathway mutants in tomato, we demonstrate a direct role for three genes in the cluster in falcarindiol biosynthesis. This work reveals a mechanism by which plants sculpt their lipid pool in response to pathogens, and provides critical insight into the complex biochemistry of alkynyl lipid production.
Project description:Acute effects of different dietary fatty acids on the gene expression profiles of peripheral blood mononuclear cells in healthy young men. A randomized cross-over study.
Project description:Scope: Consumption of industrial trans fatty acids unfavourably alters plasma cholesterol and has been linked to NAFLD. However, the mechanisms underlying these deleterious effects of trans fatty acids are unclear. Here, we aim to investigate the molecular mechanisms of action of industrial trans fatty acids. Methods & Results: Hepa1-6 hepatoma cells were incubated with elaidate, oleate, or palmitate. C57Bl/6 mice were fed diets rich in trans-unsaturated, cis-unsaturated or saturated fatty acids. Transcriptomics analysis of Hepa1-6 cells showed that elaidate but not oleate or palmitate induced expression of genes involved in cholesterol biosynthesis. Induction of cholesterogenesis by elaidate was mediated by increased SREBP2 and dependent on SCAP, yet independent of LXR and UBXD8. Elaidate decreased intracellular free cholesterol levels and repressed the anti-cholesterogenic effect of exogenous cholesterol. In mice, the trans-unsaturated diet increased the ratio of liver to gonadal fat mass, steatosis, hepatic cholesterol levels, ALT activity, and fibrosis markers, suggesting enhanced NAFLD, compared to the cis-unsaturated and saturated diets. Conclusion: Elaidate induces cholesterogenesis in vitro via activation of the SCAP-SREBP axis, likely by lowering intracellular free cholesterol and attenuating cholesterol-dependent repression of SCAP. This pathway potentially underlies the increase in liver cholesterol and NAFLD by industrial trans fatty acids.
Project description:Treatment of the human hepatoma cell lines HepG2, HUH7 and PHH with a mixture of fatty acids caused heaptic steatosis. The combined lipid and TNFa treatment mimics inflammation. Cells were harvested and processed for microarray analysis
