Identification of a novel monocyclic carotenoid and prediction of its biosynthetic genes in Algoriphagus sp. oki45.

Bacteria belonging to the genus Algoriphagus have been isolated from various sources, such as Antarctic sea ice, seawater, and sediment, and some strains are known to produce orange to red pigments. However, the pigment composition and biosynthetic genes have not been fully elucidated. A new red-pigmented Algoriphagus sp. strain, oki45, was isolated from the surface of seaweed collected from Senaga-Jima Island, Okinawa, Japan. Genome comparison revealed oki45's average nucleotide identity of less than 95% to its closely related species, Algoriphagus confluentis NBRC 111222 T and Algoriphagus taiwanensis JCM 19755 T. Comprehensive chemical analyses of oki45's pigments, including 1H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance and circular dichroism spectroscopy, revealed that the pigments were mixtures of monocyclic carotenoids, (3S)-flexixanthin ((3S)-3,1'-dihydroxy-3',4'-didehydro-1',2'-dihydro-ß,ψ-caroten-4-one) and (2R,3S)-2-hydroxyflexixanthin ((2R,3S)-2,3,1'-trihydroxy-3',4'-didehydro-1',2'-dihydro-ß,ψ-caroten-4-one); in particular, the latter compound was new and not previously reported. Both monocyclic carotenoids were also found in A. confluentis NBRC 111222 T and A. taiwanensis JCM 19755 T. Further genome comparisons of carotenoid biosynthetic genes revealed the presence of eight genes (crtE, crtB, crtI, cruF, crtD, crtYcd, crtW, and crtZ) for flexixanthin biosynthesis. In addition, a crtG homolog gene encoding 2,2'-ß-hydroxylase was found in the genome of the strains oki45, A. confluentis NBRC 111222 T, and A. taiwanensis JCM 19755 T, suggesting that the gene is involved in 2-hydroxyflexixanthin synthesis via 2-hydroxylation of flexixanthin. These findings expand our knowledge of monocyclic carotenoid biosynthesis in Algoriphagus bacteria. KEY POINTS: • Algoriphagus sp. strain oki45 was isolated from seaweed collected in Okinawa, Japan. • A novel monocyclic carotenoid 2-hydroxyflexixanthin was identified from strain oki45. • Nine genes for 2-hydroxyflexixanthin biosynthesis were found in strain oki45 genome.

Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency Possibly Related to Atypical Chronic Graft-versus-Host Disease.

We report the case of a 66-year-old woman who presented with diarrhea and weight loss approximately 14 months after unrelated allogeneic bone marrow transplantation for acute myeloid leukemia. Her early post-transplant course was notable for mild acute skin graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and biopsy-proven upper gastrointestinal (GI) acute GVHD, both of which resolved with treatment. She then developed weight loss and diarrhea treated with prednisolone for what was thought to be GI late acute GVHD. However, her diarrhea and weight loss persisted. Colonoscopy showed a grossly intact mucosa, and stool studies only confirmed steatorrhea. However, an atrophic pancreas was found on an abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan. Exocrine pancreatic enzymes, such as lipase and pancreatic amylase, were markedly decreased, yet pancreatic endocrine function remained intact. The patient's diarrhea and weight loss improved upon treatment with pancrelipase. Therefore, we suggest that her exocrine pancreatic insufficiency was likely partly caused by atypical chronic GVHD.

Dietary Combination of Fish Oil and Soy ß-Conglycinin Inhibits Fat Accumulation and Reduces Blood Glucose Levels by Altering Gut Microbiome Composition in Diabetic/Obese KK-A y Mice.

Dietary fish oil containing n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids provides health benefits by lowering lipid levels in the liver and serum. ß-Conglycinin (ßCG) is a major constituent protein in soybean with many physiological effects, such as lowering blood triglyceride levels, preventing obesity and diabetes, and improving hepatic lipid metabolism. However, the combined effects of fish oil and ßCG remain unclear. Here, we investigated the effects of a dietary combination of fish oil and ßCG on lipid and glucose parameters in diabetic/obese KK-A y mice. KK-A y mice were divided into three groups: control, fish oil, and fish oil + ßCG; these groups were fed a casein-based diet containing 7% (w/w) soybean oil, a casein-based diet containing 2% (w/w) soybean oil and 5% (w/w) fish oil, and a ßCG-based diet containing 2% (w/w) soybean oil and 5% (w/w) fish oil, respectively. The effects of the dietary combination of fish oil and ßCG on blood biochemical parameters, adipose tissue weight, expression levels of fat- and glucose metabolism-related genes, and cecal microbiome composition were evaluated. The total white adipose tissue weight (p < 0.05), levels of total serum cholesterol (p < 0.01), triglyceride (p < 0.01), and blood glucose (p < 0.05), and expression levels of fatty acid synthesis-related genes (including Fasn (p < 0.05) and Acc (p < 0.05)), and glucose metabolism-related genes (such as Pepck (p < 0.05)) were lower in the fish oil and fish oil + ßCG groups than in the control group. Furthermore, the relative abundance of Bacteroidaceae and Coriobacteriaceae differed significantly between the fish oil + ßCG and control groups. These findings suggest that dietary intake of fish oil + ßCG may prevent obesity and diabetes, alleviate lipid abnormalities, and alter the gut microbiome composition in diabetic/obese KK-A y mice. Further research is needed to build on this study to evaluate the health benefits of major components of Japanese food.

Challenges Based on Antiplasmodial and Antiviral Activities of 7-Chloro-4-aminoquinoline Derivatives.

We report the structural functionalization of the terminal amino group of N1 -(7-chloroquinolin-4-yl) butane-1,4-diamine, leading to a series of 7-chloro-4-aminoquinoline derivatives, and their evaluation as potent anti-malarial and anti-viral agents. Some compounds exhibited promising anti-malarial effects against the Plasmodium falciparum 3D7 (chloroquine-sensitive) and Dd2 (chloroquine-resistant) strains. In addition, these compounds were assayed in vitro against influenza A virus (IAV) and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Compound 5 h, bearing an N-mesityl thiourea group, displayed pronounced anti-infectious effects against malaria, IAV, and SARS-CoV-2. These results provide new insights into drug discovery for the prevention or treatment of malaria and virus co-infection.

Identification and tissue distribution of fucoxanthinol and amarouciaxanthin A fatty acid esters in fucoxanthin-fed mice.

Administered carotenoid fatty acid esters are thought to be hydrolyzed to their free forms and absorbed into the body, and information on the tissue distribution of carotenoid fatty acid esters has been limited. Fucoxanthin, a marine carotenoid, exhibits various health benefits, including anti-diabetic and anti-obesity effects. However, fucoxanthin metabolism in mammals remains unclear. Herein, we investigated the fatty acid esters of fucoxanthin metabolites, fucoxanthinol and amarouciaxanthin A, in the tissues of male C57BL/6J mice fed a fucoxanthin-containing diet for one week. Fucoxanthinol and amarouciaxanthin A-3-esters accumulated abundantly in the liver and epididymal white adipose tissue, respectively. These esters were less detectable in the serum and other tissues. Therefore, it is suggested that fucoxanthinol and amarouciaxanthin A are partially acylated in the liver and epididymal white adipose tissue after being transported through the body as their free forms. This study presents a novel carotenoid metabolic pathway in mammals.

Preparation of Apoastaxanthinals and Evaluation of Their Anti-inflammatory Action against Lipopolysaccharide-Stimulated Macrophages and Adipocytes.

Apocarotenoids are carotenoid derivatives in which the polyene chain is cleaved via enzymatic or nonenzymatic action. They are found in animal tissues and carotenoid-containing foods. However, limited information on the biological functions of apocarotenoids is available. Here, we prepared apocarotenoids from astaxanthin via chemical oxidation and evaluated their anti-inflammatory action against macrophages and adipocytes. A series of astaxanthin-derived apoastaxanthinals, apo-11-, apo-15-, apo-14'-, apo-12'-, apo-10'-, and apo-8'-astaxanthinals, were successfully characterized by chromatography and spectroscopic analysis. The apoastaxanthinals inhibited inflammatory cytokine production and mRNA expression against lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Apoastaxanthinals suppressed interleukin-6 overexpression in an in vitro model with macrophages and adipocytes in the following cultures: (1) contact coculture of 3T3-L1 adipocytes and RAW264.7 macrophages and (2) 3T3-L1 adipocytes in a RAW264.7-derived conditioned media. These results indicate that the apoastaxanthinals have the potential for regulation of adipose tissue inflammation observed in obesity.

Monocaprin Enhances Bioavailability of Fucoxanthin in Diabetic/Obese KK-Ay Mice.

Fucoxanthin is a marine carotenoid found in brown seaweeds and several microalgae. It has been reported that fucoxanthin has health benefits such as anti-obesity and anti-diabetic effects. To facilitate fucoxanthin applications in the food industry, it is important to improve its low bioavailability. We attempted the combined feeding of fucoxanthin-containing seaweed oil (SO) and monocaprin in a powder diet and analyzed the fucoxanthin metabolite contents in the liver, small intestine and serum of diabetic/obese KK-Ay mice. After 4 weeks of feeding with the experimental diets, the serum fucoxanthinol concentrations of the mice fed 0.2% SO and 0.5% monocaprin were higher than those of the 0.2% SO-fed mice. Furthermore, fucoxanthinol accumulation in the liver and small intestine tended to increase in a combination diet of 0.2% SO and 0.125-0.5% monocaprin compared with a diet of 0.2% SO alone, although amarouciaxanthin A accumulation was not different among the 0.2% SO-fed groups. These results suggest that a combination of monocaprin with fucoxanthin-containing SO is an effective treatment for improving the bioavailability of fucoxanthin.

Successful treatment of acute pancreatitis associated with late-onset acute liver GVHD after second allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation.

We report the case of a 28-year-old woman who developed upper abdominal pain and jaundice after a second unrelated allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) for acute lymphoid leukemia (ALL). Laboratory data showed elevated levels of liver enzymes, amylase, and lipase. Although acute pancreatitis was suspected, no structural lesions were detected. Liver biopsy was compatible with late-onset acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), which resolved following treatment with methylprednisolone (mPSL) and tacrolimus (TAC). In addition, her serum amylase level and abdominal pain rapidly resolved following acute GVHD-directed therapy. Acute pancreatitis concomitant with late-onset acute liver GVHD is extremely rare and has not been documented subsequent to a second allo-HCT.

A unique three-way Philadelphia chromosome variant t(4;9;22)(q21;q34;q11.2) in a newly diagnosed patient with chronic phase chronic myeloid leukemia: a case report and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Chronic myeloid leukemia is a hematologic malignancy associated with the fusion of two genes: BCR and ABL1. This fusion results from a translocation between chromosomes 9 and 22, which is called the Philadelphia chromosome. Although the Philadelphia chromosome is present in more than 90% of patients with chronic myeloid leukemia, 5-8% of patients with chronic myeloid leukemia show complex variant translocations. Herein, we report a unique case of a three-way translocation variant in chronic phase chronic myeloid leukemia. CASE PRESENTATION: A 40-year-old Asian male who presented with leukocytosis was diagnosed with chronic phase chronic myeloid leukemia. Cytogenetic karyotyping analysis showed 46,XY,t(4;9;22)(q21;q34;q11.2). He was treated with bosutinib and then changed to dasatinib because of intolerance, and MR4.5 (BCR-ABL/ABL â‰¦ 0.0032%, international scale) was achieved after 17 months of continuous treatment. CONCLUSION: This was the 14th case of t(4;9;22), in particular, a new variant Ph translocation involved in chromosome 4q21 and the first successful case treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitors in the world. We summarize previous case reports regarding three-way variant chromosome translocation, t(4;9;22) and discuss how this rare translocation is linked to prognosis.

Effects of Fucoxanthin on the Inhibition of Dexamethasone-Induced Skeletal Muscle Loss in Mice.

Fucoxanthin (Fx) has preventive effect against muscle atrophy and myotube loss in vitro, but it has not yet been examined in vivo. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the effect of Fx on dexamethasone (Dex)-induced muscle atrophy and fat mass in mice. ICR mice were fed with Fx diets from 2 weeks before Dex treatment to the end of the study. Muscle atrophy was induced in the mice by oral administration of Dex. Body weight was significantly lower by Dex treatment. Visceral fat mass in the Fx-treated group were significantly lower than those in the control group. The Dex-induced decrease in tibialis anterior muscle mass was ameliorated by Fx treatment. Fx treatment significantly attenuated muscle lipid peroxidation compared with the control and Dex-treated groups. The phosphorylation of AMPK was significantly higher in the Dex-treated group than in the control group. The expression of cytochrome c oxidase (COX) IV was significantly higher in the Fx-treated group than in the control group. These results suggest that Fx may be a beneficial material to prevent muscle atrophy in vivo, in addition to the effect of fat loss.

Seco-type ß-Apocarotenoid Generated by ß-Carotene Oxidation Exerts Anti-inflammatory Effects against Activated Macrophages.

ß-Apocarotenoids are the cleavage products of ß-carotene. They are found in plants, carotenoid-containing foods, and animal tissues. However, limited information is available regarding the health benefits of ß-apocarotenoids. Here, we prepared seco-type ß-apocarotenoids through the chemical oxidation of ß-carotene and investigated their anti-inflammatory effects against activated macrophages. Oxidation of ß-carotene with potassium permanganate produced seco-ß-apo-8'-carotenal, in which one end-group formed an "open" ß-ring and the other was cleaved at the C-7',8' position. In lipopolysaccharide-stimulated murine macrophage-like RAW264.7 cells, seco-ß-apo-8'-carotenal inhibited the secretion and mRNA expression of inflammatory mediators such as nitric oxide, interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-1ß, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1. Furthermore, seco-ß-apo-8'-carotenal suppressed phosphorylation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase and the inhibitor of nuclear factor (NF)-κB as well as the nuclear accumulation of NF-κB p65. Notably, since seco-ß-apo-8'-carotenal exhibited remarkable anti-inflammatory activity compared with ß-apo-8'-carotenal, its anti-inflammatory action could depend on the opened ß-ring structure. These results suggest that seco-ß-apo-8'-carotenal has high potential for the prevention of inflammation-related diseases.

Health-Promoting Functions of the Marine Carotenoid Fucoxanthin.

Fucoxanthin (Fx) is a marine carotenoid found in brown seaweeds and several marine microalgae. Recent studies have reported that dietary Fx exhibits many health-promoting functions such as anti-obesity and anti-diabetic effects in animal experiments. A human clinical trial of Fx showed high potential on reduction of body weight and fat content. The anti-obesity effect of Fx is due to several mechanisms, which include the suppression of adipocyte differentiation, anti-inflammation, and uncouple protein 1 induction in white adipose tissue. Furthermore, Fx reduced blood glucose level and improved insulin resistance through the regulation of adipokine mRNA expressions. In this chapter, we reviewed health beneficial effects and safety of Fx and discussed their molecular mechanisms.

Identification of Paracentrone in Fucoxanthin-Fed Mice and Anti-Inflammatory Effect against Lipopolysaccharide-Stimulated Macrophages and Adipocytes.

SCOPE: Fucoxanthin is converted to fucoxanthinol and amarouciaxanthin A in the mouse body. However, further metabolism such as cleavage products (i.e., apocarotenoids) remains unclear. The fucoxanthin-derived apocarotenoid in vivo is investigated and the anti-inflammatory effect of apocarotenoids with fucoxanthin partial structure such as allenic bond and epoxide residue against activated macrophages and adipocytes in vitro is evaluated. METHODS AND RESULTS: LC-MS analysis indicates the presence of paracentrone, a C31 -allenic-apocarotenoid, in white adipose tissue of diabetic/obese KK-Ay and normal C57BL/6J mice fed 0.2% fucoxanthin diet for 1 week. In lipopolysaccharide-activated RAW264.7 macrophages, paracentrone as well as C26 - and C28 -allenic-apocarotenoids suppresses the overexpression of inflammatory factors. Further, apo-10'-fucoxanthinal, a fucoxanthin-derived apocarotenoid which retained epoxide residue, exhibits a most potent anti-inflammatory activity through regulating mitogen-activated protein kinases and nuclear factor-κB inflammatory signal pathways. In contrast, ß-apo-8'-carotenal without allenic bond and epoxide residue lacks suppressed inflammation. In 3T3-L1 adipocytes, paracentrone, and apo-10'-fucoxanthinal downregulate the mRNA expression of proinflammatory mediators and chemokines induced by co-culture with RAW264.7 cells. CONCLUSION: Dietary fucoxanthin accumulates as paracentrone as well as fucoxanthinol and amarouciaxanthin A in the mouse body. Allenic bond and epoxide residue of fucoxanthin-derived apocarotenoids have pivotal roles for anti-inflammatory action against activated macrophages and adipocytes.

Total Lipids Content, Lipid Class and Fatty Acid Composition of Ten Species of Microalgae.

Microalgae is a potential producer of functional lipids such as n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and fucoxanthin. In the present study, lipids from ten microalgae species were analyzed especially focusing on the fucoxanthin, lipid and fatty acid compositions. The study revealed a remarkable variation in total lipids content, fucoxanthin content, lipid class composition and n-3 PUFA content in individual species, although they belong to the same genus. Among microalgae examined, Pavlova lutheri contained the highest total lipids content (313.59 mg g-1 dry weight) and considerable amount of fucoxanthin (3.13 mg g-1 dry weight). It also had the highest level (28.01%) of total n-3 PUFA with high level of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) (17.76%) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) (7.61%). The highest fucoxanthin content (5.19 mg g-1 dry weight) was observed in Chaetoceros gracilis. C. gracilis also contained relatively high level of total lipids (228.87 mg g-1 dry weight) and 10.67% EPA. The results also demonstrated that Nannochloropsis oculata contained the greatest amount of EPA (26.21%), while Isochrysis galbana had the highest level of DHA (8.76%). And both microalgae contained 1.71 and 4.44 mg g-1 dry weight fucoxanthin, respectively. Microalgal lipids containing abundant fucoxanthin and n-3 PUFA such as EPA and DHA in the present study will be used as nutraceutical lipids with great commercial potential.

Fucoxanthin inhibits hepatic oxidative stress, inflammation, and fibrosis in diet-induced nonalcoholic steatohepatitis model mice.

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is associated with hepatocyte injury, excessive oxidative stress, and chronic inflammation in fatty liver, and can progress to more severe liver diseases, such as cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. However, currently there are no effective therapies for NASH. Marine carotenoid, fucoxanthin (Fx), abundant in brown seaweeds, has variable biological properties, such as anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative and anti-obesity. However, the effect of Fx on the development of NASH has not been explored. We investigated the protective effects of Fx in diet-induced NASH model mice fed choline-deficient L-amino acid-defined high fat diet (CDAHFD). Fx administration significantly attenuated liver weight gain and hepatic fat accumulation, resulting in the alleviation of hepatic injury. Furthermore, the Fx-fed mice, not only exhibited reduced hepatic lipid oxidation, but also decreased mRNA expression levels of inflammation and infiltration-related genes compared to that of the CDAHFD-fed mice. Moreover, fucoxanthinol and amarouciaxanthin A, two Fx metabolites exerted anti-inflammatory effects in the liver via inhibiting the chemokine production in hepatocytes. In case of fibrosis, one of the features of advanced NASH, the expression of fibrogenic factors including activated-hepatic stellate cell marker was significantly decreased in the liver of Fx-fed mice. Thus, the present study elucidated that dietary Fx not only inhibited hepatic oxidative stress and inflammation but also prevented early phase of fibrosis in the diet-induced NASH model mice.

Nutraceutical characteristics of the brown seaweed carotenoid fucoxanthin.

Fucoxanthin (Fx), a major carotenoid found in brown seaweed, is known to show a unique and wide variety of biological activities. Upon absorption, Fx is metabolized to fucoxanthinol and amarouciaxanthin, and these metabolites mainly accumulate in visceral white adipose tissue (WAT). As seen in other carotenoids, Fx can quench singlet oxygen and scavenge a wide range of free radicals. The antioxidant activity is related to the neuroprotective, photoprotective, and hepatoprotective effects of Fx. Fx is also reported to show anti-cancer activity through the regulation of several biomolecules and signaling pathways that are involved in either cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, or metastasis suppression. Among the biological activities of Fx, anti-obesity is the most well-studied and most promising effect. This effect is primarily based on the upregulation of thermogenesis by uncoupling protein 1 expression and the increase in the metabolic rate induced by mitochondrial activation. In addition, Fx shows anti-diabetic effects by improving insulin resistance and promoting glucose utilization in skeletal muscle.

Spirulina Lipids Alleviate Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Mice Fed a High-Fat and High-Sucrose Diet.

High-fat and high-sucrose diet (HFHSD)-induced obesity leads to oxidative stress and chronic inflammatory status. However, little is known about the beneficial effects of total lipids extracted from Spirulina. Hence, in the present study, Spirulina lipids were extracted with chloroform/methanol (SLC) or ethanol (SLE) and then their effects on oxidative stress and inflammation in the mice fed a HFHSD were investigated. The results show that the major lipid classes and fatty acid profiles of SLC and SLE were almost similar, but the gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) and carotenoid contents in SLE was a little higher than that in SLC. Dietary 4% SLC or SLE for 12 weeks effectively decreased the hepatic lipid hydroperoxide levels as well as increased the activities and mRNA levels of antioxidant enzymes in the mice fed a HFHSD. In addition, supplementation with SLC and SLE also markedly decreased the levels of serum pro-inflammatory cytokines and the mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the liver and epididymal white adipose tissue of mice fed a HFHSD, and the effects of SLC and SLE were comparable. These findings confirm for the first time that dietary Spirulina lipids could alleviate HFHSD-induced oxidative stress and inflammation.

Fucoxanthinol attenuates oxidative stress-induced atrophy and loss in myotubes and reduces the triacylglycerol content in mature adipocytes.

The combination of sarcopenia and obesity (i.e., sarcopenic obesity) is more strongly associated with disability and metabolic/cardiovascular diseases than obesity or sarcopenia alone. Therefore, countermeasures that simultaneously suppress fat gain and muscle atrophy to prevent an increase in sarcopenic obesity are warranted. The aim of this study was to investigate the simultaneous effects of fucoxanthinol (FXOH) on fat loss in mature adipocytes and the inhibition of atrophy and loss in myotubes induced by oxidative stress. C2C12 myotubes were treated with FXOH for 24 h and further incubated with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) for 24 h. The area of myosin heavy chain-positive myotubes and the ROS concentration were measured. Mature 3T3-L1 adipocytes were treated with FXOH for 72 h. The triacylglycerol (TG) content and glycerol and fatty acid (FA) release were biochemically measured. The myotube area was smaller in H2O2-treated cells than that in control cells. However, FXOH protected against the H2O2-induced decreases in myotube area. Further, the ROS concentration was significantly higher in the FXOH-treated cells compared with that in the control cells, although it was significantly lower than that in the H2O2-treated cells. On the other hand, in the mature adipocytes, the TG content was significantly decreased by FXOH treatment compared to that in the control. Moreover, FXOH treatment significantly increased glycerol and FA release compared with that of the control. These results suggest that FXOH inhibits H2O2-induced atrophy and loss in myotubes and activates lipolysis and decreases the TG content in mature adipocytes. Accordingly, FXOH has the potential to exert anti-sarcopenic obesity effects.

Ecogenomics of the Marine Benthic Filamentous Cyanobacterium Adonisia.

Turfs are among the major benthic components of reef systems worldwide. The nearly complete genome sequences, basic physiological characteristics, and phylogenomic reconstruction of two phycobiliprotein-rich filamentous cyanobacteria strains isolated from turf assemblages from the Abrolhos Bank (Brazil) are investigated. Both Adonisia turfae CCMR0081T (= CBAS 745T) and CCMR0082 contain approximately 8 Mbp in genome size and experiments identified that both strains exhibit chromatic acclimation. Whereas CCMR0081T exhibits chromatic acclimation type 3 (CA3) regulating both phycocyanin (PC) and phycoerythrin (PE), CCMR0082 strain exhibits chromatic acclimation type 2 (CA2), in correspondence with genes encoding specific photosensors and regulators for PC and PE. Furthermore, a high number and diversity of secondary metabolite synthesis gene clusters were identified in both genomes, and they were able to grow at high temperatures (28 °C, with scant growth at 30 °C). These characteristics provide insights into their widespread distribution in reef systems.

The Effect of n-3 PUFA Binding Phosphatidylglycerol on Metabolic Syndrome-Related Parameters and n-3 PUFA Accretion in Diabetic/Obese KK-Ay Mice.

n-3 Polyunsaturated fatty acid binding phospholipids (n-3 PUFA-PLs) are known to be potent carriers of n-3 PUFAs and provide health benefits. We previously prepared n-3 PUFA binding phosphatidylglycerol (n-3 PUFA-PG) by phospholipase D-mediated transphosphatidylation. Because PG has excellent emulsifiability, n-3 PUFA-PG is expected to work as a functional molecule with properties of both PG and n-3 PUFAs. In the present study, the health benefits and tissue accretion of dietary n-3 PUFA-PG were examined in diabetic/obese KK-Ay mice. After a feeding duration over 30 days, n-3 PUFA-PG significantly reduced the total and non-HDL cholesterols in the serum of diabetic/obese KK-Ay mice. In the mice fed n-3 PUFA-PG, but not n-3 PUFA-TAG, hepatic lipid content was markedly alleviated depending on the neutral lipid reduction compared with the SoyPC-fed mice. Further, the n-3 PUFA-PG diet increased eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and reduced arachidonic acid in the small intestine, liver, perirenal white adipose tissue, and brain, and the ratio of the n-6 PUFAs to n-3 PUFAs in those tissues became lower compared to the SoyPC-fed mice. Especially, the DHA level was more significantly elevated in the brains of n-3 PUFA-PG-fed mice compared to the SoyPC-fed mice, whereas n-3 PUFA-TAG did not significantly alter DHA in the brain. The present results indicate that n-3 PUFA-PG is a functional lipid for reducing serum and liver lipids and is able to supply n-3 PUFAs to KK-Ay mice.