Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in fish: recent advances on desaturases and elongases involved in their biosynthesis

Abstract

The pathways of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LC-PUFA) biosynthesis have been extensively investigated in farmed fish both for determining the specific dietary essential fatty acids that guarantee optimal growth and development in captivity, and also for maintaining high levels of the healthy n-3 LC-PUFA for human consumers. It is now well established that the capacity for LC-PUFA biosynthesis of a particular species depends upon the complement of the key enzymes required, namely the fatty acyl desaturases (Fad) and elongases of very long-chain fatty acids (Elovl). This paper reviews the recent progress made on the molecular aspects of Fad- and Elovl-encoding genes isolated so far from fish species. More specifically, we discuss the potential implications that Fad and Elovl functions and expression patterns have on the ability of a particular fish species to thrive on sustainable vegetable-based aquafeeds.