Combined effects of dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids and parasite exposure on eicosanoid-related gene expression in an invertebrate model.

Abstract

Eicosanoids derive from essential polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and play crucial roles in immunity, development, and reproduction. However, potential links between dietary PUFA supply and eicosanoid biosynthesis are poorly understood, especially in invertebrates. Using Daphnia magna and its bacterial parasite Pasteuria ramosa as model system, we studied the expression of genes coding for key enzymes in eicosanoid biosynthesis and of genes related to oogenesis in response to dietary arachidonic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid in parasite-exposed and non-exposed animals. Gene expression related to cyclooxygenase activity was especially responsive to the dietary PUFA supply and parasite challenge, indicating a role for prostanoid eicosanoids in immunity and reproduction. Vitellogenin gene expression was induced upon parasite exposure in all food treatments, suggesting infection-related interference with the host's reproductive system. Our findings highlight the potential of dietary PUFA to modulate the expression of key enzymes involved in eicosanoid biosynthesis and reproduction and thus underpin the idea that the dietary PUFA supply can influence invertebrate immune functions and host-parasite interactions.

• Authors: Nina Schlotz, Anne Roulin, Dieter Ebert, Dominik Martin-Creuzburg
• Journal: Comparative biochemistry and physiology. Part A, Molecular & integrative physiology (Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol) Vol. 201 Pg. 115-123 (11 2016) ISSN: 1531-4332 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 27421236 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Dietary Fats, Unsaturated
• Eicosanoids
• Fatty Acids, Unsaturated

Topics

• Animals
• Chlamydomonas (chemistry)
• Daphnia (genetics, microbiology, physiology)
• Diet
• Dietary Fats, Unsaturated (administration & dosage)
• Eicosanoids (metabolism)
• Fatty Acids, Unsaturated (administration & dosage)
• Female
• Gene Expression
• Host-Pathogen Interactions (genetics, immunology, physiology)
• Oogenesis (genetics)
• Pasteuria (pathogenicity)
• Stramenopiles (chemistry)