A transgenic mouse model for gene-nutrient interactions.

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, Basel.