Omega-3 (?3 or n-3) long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA, e.g., 22:6n-3, 20:5n-3) are among the most popular dietary supplements used by Americans. Understanding inter-individual response variation requires elucidation of the underlying pathways and the influence of genotypes. LCPUFA biosynthesis is limited by desaturase activity encoded by the fatty acid desaturase gene cluster (FADS1-3, 11q12-13.1). FADS intronic and intergenic SNPs are disproportionately identified as significant in genetic studies (e.g. GWAS). In recent years we showed that all the FADS genes have conserved, highly expressed, and phylogenetically conserved alternative transcripts (AT). A newly described FADS1 AT has desaturase function and new siRNA data show that a specific splicing factor (SF), PTB (hnRNP I) modulates FADS AT abundance. In early 2012, we generated the first Fads3-/- (null) mouse to investigate the as-yet-unknown function of this extensively alternatively spliced gene. AT represent a novel, essential paradigm for omega-3 metabolic control mediated in non-coding regions. Present knowledge of regulatory mechanisms neglecting AT are necessarily incomplete because >95% of human genes produce AT, including the FADS genes. The overall goal is to discover the regulation and function of FADS AT and some of their genetic control via mechanistic investigation. Hypothesis 1: FADS AT are modulated by dietary PUFA and by hormones via splicing factors (SF) in a manner consistent with enhanced catalysis (e.g. FADS1AT1) or inhibition (e.g. FADS3 AT) of desaturation. Hypothesis 2: FADS AT modulation is related to SNPs and haplotypes via splicing factors.
Specific Aim 1. Define the transcription start sites (TSS) and UTR of FADS CS and AT. (a) Determine the promoters and full length open reading frames (ORFs) of FADS CS and AT with RNA-Seq using human liver. (b) Determine FADS transcript modulation by ratios of dietary PUFA in mice and by hormones in human cells, thereby establishing AT as intermediate biomarkers for LCPUFA biosynthesis. (c) Develop and implement RNAi of splicing factors and inhibition of their phosphorylation to investigate SF modulation of FADS transcripts, and fatty acid desaturation and composition.
Specific Aim 2. Discovery of FADS AT function(s) and modulation. (a) Based on RNA-Seq and RNAi results: (i) Transfect human cells to test for activation or inhibition by specific AT. (ii) Construct vectors for functional studies in human cels, using full length ORF. (b) Characterize the overt and molecular/biochemical phenotype of Fads3 null mice. (c) Investigate the prevalence of human SNPs and haplotypes related to PUFA biosynthesis. Relevance to human health. Understanding of FADS AT regulation, function, and influence on LCPUFA bio- synthesis will enable mechanistic evaluation of interindividual variability in LCPUFA biosynthesis. Human genetic variation and metabolic conditions responsive to omega-3 LCPUFA supplementation will be identified.

Public Health Relevance

to public health. Omega-3 fatty acids are major over-the-counter supplements and are added to a vast array of food products. Results of randomized controlled trials (RCT) of omega-3 have shown many positive effects but also neutral and a few negative on cardiovascular risk factors and osteoarthritis in adults, visual and neurological development in infants, and psychiatric disorders in adults. These studies develop mechanistic background to evaluate who can benefit from omega-3 supplements and to assist in the interpretation of human RCT results to provide reason-to-believe bio- chemical support underpinning disease-related primary and secondary outcomes.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Center for Complementary & Alternative Medicine (NCCAM)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01AT007003-02
Application #
8599746
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZAT1-SM (27))
Program Officer
Pontzer, Carol H
Project Start
2013-01-01
Project End
2017-12-31
Budget Start
2014-01-01
Budget End
2014-12-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2014
Total Cost
$342,566
Indirect Cost
$117,566
Name
Cornell University
Department
Nutrition
Type
Other Domestic Higher Education
DUNS #
872612445
City
Ithaca
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
14850
Kothapalli, Kumar S D; Park, Hui Gyu; Guo, Xiaoxian et al. (2018) A novel FADS2 isoform identified in human milk fat globule suppresses FADS2 mediated ?6-desaturation of omega-3 fatty acids. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids 138:52-59
Park, Hui Gyu; Engel, Matthew G; Vogt-Lowell, Kyle et al. (2018) The role of fatty acid desaturase (FADS) genes in oleic acid metabolism: FADS1 ?7 desaturates 11-20:1 to 7,11-20:2. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids 128:21-25
Park, H G; Zhang, J Y; Foster, C et al. (2018) A rare eicosanoid precursor analogue, sciadonic acid (5Z,11Z,14Z-20:3), detected in vivo in hormone positive breast cancer tissue. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids 134:1-6
Liu, Lei; Wang, Zhen; Park, Hui Gyu et al. (2017) Human fetal intestinal epithelial cells metabolize and incorporate branched chain fatty acids in a structure specific manner. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids 116:32-39
Zhang, Ji Yao; Qin, Xia; Liang, Allison et al. (2017) Fads3 modulates docosahexaenoic acid in liver and brain. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids 123:25-32
Kothapalli, Kumar S D; Ye, Kaixiong; Gadgil, Maithili S et al. (2016) Positive Selection on a Regulatory Insertion-Deletion Polymorphism in FADS2 Influences Apparent Endogenous Synthesis of Arachidonic Acid. Mol Biol Evol 33:1726-39
Wang, Dong Hao; Jackson, James R; Twining, Cornelia et al. (2016) Saturated Branched Chain, Normal Odd-Carbon-Numbered, and n-3 (Omega-3) Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Freshwater Fish in the Northeastern United States. J Agric Food Chem :
Zhang, Ji Yao; Kothapalli, Kumar S D; Brenna, J Thomas (2016) Desaturase and elongase-limiting endogenous long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis. Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care 19:103-10
Gómez-Cortés, P; Brenna, J T; Lawrence, P et al. (2016) Novel characterisation of minor ?-linolenic acid isomers in linseed oil by gas chromatography and covalent adduct chemical ionisation tandem mass spectrometry. Food Chem 200:141-5
Park, Hui Gyu; Kothapalli, Kumar S D; Park, Woo Jung et al. (2016) Palmitic acid (16:0) competes with omega-6 linoleic and omega-3 ?-linolenic acids for FADS2 mediated ?6-desaturation. Biochim Biophys Acta 1861:91-97

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