A transgenic mouse model for gene-nutrient interactions

Abstract

Diets or nutritional supplements contain many nutrients and other components that may interact, which adds a layer of complexity to their evaluation. A well-controlled experimental model that can eliminate or minimize the confounding factors of diet is critical for addressing nutrient-gene interactions. The newly generated fat-1 transgenic mouse was genetically engineered to carry a gene, namely fat-1, from the round worm Caenorhabditis elegans and is capable of converting n-6 to n-3 fatty acids (which is naturally impossible in mammals), leading to an increase in n-3 fatty acid content with a balanced n-6/n-3 fatty acid ratio in all tissues, independent of diet. Recent studies using this model indicate that balancing the tissue n-6/n-3 ratio could exert a significant effect on gene expression. The fat-1 mouse model allows carefully controlled studies to be performed in the absence of restricted diets, which can create confounding factors that limit studies of this nature. Copyright © 2008 S. Karger AG.