Methyl-end desaturases determine the capability for de novo biosynthesis of polyunsaturated fatty acids in bivalves

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2025

Authors

Kabeya, N (Author) Other; Ramos-Llorens, M (Author) Other; Nakano, Y (Author) Other; Gomes-dos-Santos, A (Author) Other; Teixeira, A (Author) Other; Fujibayashi, M (Author) Other; Haro, JG (Author) Other; Navarro, JC (Author) Other; Filipe F C Castro (Author) FCUP; Haga, Y (Author) Other; Monroig, O (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Biochimica et Biophysica Acta - Molecular and Cell Biology of Lipids

Vol. 1870

ISSN: 1388-1981

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

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Other information

Authenticus ID: P-018-SR7

DOI: 10.1016/j.bbalip.2025.159617

Abstract (EN): Recent studies have shown that many invertebrate species possess methyl-end desaturases (herein referred to as 'wx'), enabling biosynthesis of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). However, the phylogenetic distribution of these enzymes across the animal kingdom remains puzzling, possibly due to horizontal gene transfer (HGT) and/ or independent large-scale gene loss in certain invertebrate lineages. In molluscs, wx genes have been identified in various cephalopods and gastropods but remain barely explored in bivalves. The increasing availability of genomic and transcriptomic resources enables a comprehensive exploration of the wx gene repertoire in bivalves. To elucidate the distribution of wx in bivalves, we conducted a broad homology search across existing genome and transcriptome assemblies, followed by functional characterisation of wx in lineage representative species. Our results revealed no wx-like sequences in any of the 65 Pteriomorphia species, suggesting gene loss in this clade. However, wx-like sequences were found in Protobranchia, Palaeoheterodonta and Imparidentia. We analysed wx from Solemya pusilla (Protobranchia), Lanceolaria oxyrhyncha and Margaritifera margaritifera (Palaeoheterodonta), and Ruditapes philippinarum and Tridacna crocea (Imparidentia). Except for M. margaritifera, which had two wx genes, each species had a single wx gene. Functional analysis showed X15X17X19 desaturase activity in the R. philippinarum and T. crocea wx, while the L. oxyrhyncha wx exhibited X15X17 activity but not X19. Both wx from M. margaritifera showed no detectable activity in yeast. Interestingly, the S. pusilla wx exhibited X12 desaturase activity. These findings highlight the diversity of wx desaturation capabilities in bivalves, with significant gene loss in Pteriomorphia.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 9