The molecular mechanisms by which individuals subjected to environmental heat stress either adapt or develop heat-related complications are not well understood. We analysed the changes in blood mononuclear gene expression patterns in human volunteers exposed to an extreme heat in a sauna (temperature of 78 6 C).
A Model of Exposure to Extreme Environmental Heat Uncovers the Human Transcriptome to Heat Stress.
Sex, Age, Specimen part, Treatment, Subject, Time
View SamplesBrain development requires a massive increase in brain lipogenesis and accretion of the essential omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Brain acquisition of DHA is primarily mediated by the transporter Major Facilitator Superfamily Domain containing 2a (Mfsd2a) expressed in the endothelium of the blood-brain barrier. Mfsd2a transports DHA and other polyunsaturated fatty acids esterified to lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC-DHA). However, the function of Mfsd2a and DHA in brain development is incompletely understood. Using vascular endothelial-specific (2aECKO) and inducible vascular endothelial-specific (2aiECKO) deletion of Mfsd2a in mice, we found Mfsd2a to be uniquely required postnatally at the blood-brain barrier for normal brain growth and DHA accretion, with DHA deficiency preceding the onset of microcephaly. Gene expression profiling analysis of these DHA deficient brains indicated that Srebp-1 and Srebp-2 pathways were highly elevated.
The lysolipid transporter Mfsd2a regulates lipogenesis in the developing brain.
Specimen part
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