The iFat1 transgene permits conditional endogenous n-3 PUFA enrichment both in vitro and in vivo

Transgenic Res. 2014 Jun;23(3):489-501. doi: 10.1007/s11248-014-9788-x. Epub 2014 Mar 13.

Abstract

Fat-1 transgenic mice, which endogenously convert n-6 PUFA to n-3 PUFA, are a useful tool in health research; however with this model timing of n-3 PUFA enrichment cannot be directly controlled. To add such capability, the novel Cre-recombinase inducible fat-1 (iFat1) transgenic mouse has been developed. The aim of this study was to characterize the utility of the iFat1 transgene as a model of Cre-inducible endogenous n-3 PUFA enrichment. Functionality of the iFat1 transgene was screened both in vitro and in vivo. In the presence of Cre, the iFat1 transgene resulted in a balancing (p < 0.01) of the n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio within phospholipids in the human embryonic kidney 293T cell line. For in vivo analysis, iFat1 transgenic mice were crossed with the R26-Cre-ER(T2) (Tam-Cre) mouse line, a tamoxifen inducible Cre-expression model. Tam-Cre/iFat1 double hybrids were transiently treated with tamoxifen at 6-7 weeks, then terminated 3 weeks later. Tamoxifen treated mice had increased (p < 0.05) tissue n-3 PUFA and ≥two-fold reduction (p < 0.05) in the n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio of liver, kidney and muscle phospholipids relative to vehicle treated controls. Collectively these findings suggest that the iFat1 transgenic mouse may be a promising tool to help elucidate the temporal effects through which n-3 PUFA impacts health related outcomes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cadherins / biosynthesis
  • Cadherins / genetics*
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / genetics
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / metabolism*
  • Gene Expression
  • Humans
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Integrases / genetics*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic

Substances

  • Cadherins
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3
  • fat1 protein, mouse
  • Cre recombinase
  • Integrases