Expression of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids biosynthesis genes during the early life-cycle stages of the tropical gar Atractosteus tropicus

Long-chain (≥C20) polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA), including eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5n-3), arachidonic (ARA, 20:4n-6) and docosahexaenoic (DHA, 22:6n-3), are essential in multiple physiological processes, especially during early development of vertebrates. LC-PUFA biosynthesis is achieved by two key families enzymes, acyl desaturases (Fads) elongation very long-chain (Elovl). The present study determined the expression patterns genes encoding (fads1 fads2) elongases (elovl2 elovl5) involved life-stages tropical gar Atractosteus tropicus. We further analyzed profiles A. tropicus to evaluate impact Fads Elovl enzymatic activities. Specific oligonucleotides were designed from transcriptome perform qPCR (quantitative polymerase chain reaction) on embryonic larval stages, along with several organs (intestine, white muscle, brain, liver, heart, mesenteric adipose, kidney, gill, swim bladder, stomach, spleen) collected juvenile specimens. Fatty content feeds stages analyzed. Results show that fads1, fads2, elovl2 elovl5 was detected peaks day 15 post hatching, which could be related transcriptional dietary factors. Moreover, fads2 showed a higher intestine, while suggesting activates its biosynthetic machinery produce ARA, EPA DHA satisfy demands at crucial developmental milestones development.