title: n-3 fatty acids and gene expression.
abstract: Accumulating evidence in both humans and animal models clearly indicates that a group of very-long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, the n-3 fatty acids (or omega-3), have distinct and important bioactive properties compared with other groups of fatty acids. n-3 Fatty acids are known to reduce many risk factors associated with several diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and cancer. The mechanisms whereby n-3 fatty acids affect gene expression are complex and involve multiple processes. As examples, n-3 fatty acids regulate 2 groups of transcription factors, such as sterol-regulatory-element binding proteins and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors, that are critical for modulating the expression of genes controlling both systemic and tissue-specific lipid homeostasis. Modulation of specific genes by n-3 fatty acids and cross-talk between these genes are responsible for many effects of n-3 fatty acids.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Human Nutrition, the Department of Pediatrics, College of Physicians & Surgeons of Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA. rjd20@columbia.edu
authors.forename: Richard J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Deckelbaum
authors.forename: Tilla S
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Worgall
authors.forename: Toru
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Seo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D047492:Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors / Q000235:genetics; D051779:Sterol Regulatory Element Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D047492:Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors; D051779:Sterol Regulatory Element Binding Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors