Summary of FADS2
FADS2 helps with the conversion of fatty acids to DHA and DPA (R), which is critical for cognitive function (R).
It was reported the FADS2 interacts with breastfeeding such that breastfed children with the "C" version of the gene appear about 7 intelligence quotient (IQ) points higher than those with the less common "G" version (less than this when adjusted for maternal IQ) (R).
An attempt to replicate this study in 5934 8 year old children failed: No relationship of the common C allele to negative effects of formula feeding was apparent, and contra to the original report, the rare GG homozygote children performed worse when formula fed than other children on formula milk.
A study of over 700 families recently found no evidence for either main or moderating effects of the original SNP (rs174575), nor of two additional FADS2 polymorphisms (rs1535 and rs174583), nor any effect of maternal FADS2 status on offspring IQ (R).
The Function of FADS2
Component of a lipid metabolic pathway that catalyzes biosynthesis of highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFA) from precursor essential polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) linoleic acid (LA) (18:2n-6) and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) (18:3n-3). Catalyzes the first and rate limiting step in this pathway which is the desaturation of LA (18:2n-6) and ALA (18:3n-3) into gamma-linoleic acid (GLA) (18:3n-6) and stearidonic acid (18:4n-3) respectively and other desaturation steps. Highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFA) play pivotal roles in many biological functions. It catalizes as well the introduction of a cis double bond in palmitate to produce the mono-unsaturated fatty acid sapienate, the most abundant fatty acid in sebum.
Protein names
Recommended name:
Fatty acid desaturase 2Short name:
D6DAlternative name(s):
Acyl-CoA 6-desaturaseDelta(6
Delta(6
Delta-6 desaturase
- RS1535 (FADS2) ??
- RS174448 (FADS2) ??
- RS174449 (FADS2) ??
- RS174570 (FADS2) ??
- RS174574 (FADS2) ??
- RS174575 (FADS2) ??
- RS174576 (FADS2) ??
- RS174577 (FADS2) ??
- RS174578 (FADS2) ??
- RS174583 (FADS2) ??
- RS174601 (FADS2) ??
- RS2072114 (FADS2) ??
- RS2524299 (FADS2) ??
- RS2526678 (FADS2) ??
- RS2727270 (FADS2) ??
- RS2727271 (FADS2) ??
- RS2845573 (FADS2) ??
- RS2851682 (FADS2) ??
- RS3834458 (FADS2) ??
- RS422249 (FADS2) ??
- RS482548 (FADS2) ??
- RS498793 (FADS2) ??
- RS968567 (FADS2) ??
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Top Gene-Substance Interactions
FADS2 Interacts with These Diseases
| Disease | Score |
Fixes
Potential Fixes:
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Improved lifestyle choices have been shown to have a significant improvement in increasing High density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (HDL-C). These lifestyle choices including diet and exercise. [R]
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Breastfeeding or giving a child DHA prevents the need to elongate and desaturate key fatty acids which prevented any loss in IQ development form a shortage of key fatty acids that are required for brain development. [R]
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Improved diet and lifestyle choices which including diet and exercise significantly decrease the moderate risk this SNP causes. [R]
Substances That Increase FADS2
| Substances | Interaction | Organism | Category |
Substances That Decrease FADS2
| Substances | Interaction | Organism | Category |
Advanced Summary
FADS2
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Fatty Acid Desaturase (FADS) [R]
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These enzymes regulate the process of unsaturation of fatty acids [R]
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Some SNPS result in a lower than average High density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (HDL-C) level which increases the risk for Type-2 Diabetes.[R]
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Lowered ability to elongate and desaturate fatty acids prevents these acids from being used during brain cell development. [R]
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This leads to a lower IQ. (approximately 6-8 points in loss)
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Some SNPS lead to an increased ability to elongate and desaturate fatty acids. [R]
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However, there is no study on the effect this has on a child's IQ.
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Some SNPS can increase risk of developing Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) [R]
Advanced Information:
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Regulation of the unsaturation of fatty acids is caused by the addition of double bonds between defined carbons of the fatty acyl chain. [R]
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These acids include but not limited to
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α-Linolenic Acid (ALA).
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Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).
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Linoleic Acid.
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Eicosadienoic Acid.
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Dihomo-gamma-linolenic Acid (DGLA)
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Arachidonic Acid (AA).
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Adrenic Acid.
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Docosapentaenoic Acid (Osbond Acid).
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Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA).
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Conditions with Increased Gene Activity
| Condition | Change (log2fold) | Comparison | Species | Experimental variables | Experiment name |
|---|
Conditions with Decreased Gene Activity
| Condition | Change (log2fold) | Comparison | Species | Experimental variables | Experiment name |
|---|
Technical
The following transcription factors affect gene expression:
Tissue specificity:
Expressed in a wide array of tissues, highest expression is found in liver followed by brain, lung, heart, and retina. A lower level is found in breast tumor when compared with normal tissues; lowest levels were found in patients with poor prognostic index.
Gene Pathways:
Induction:
Repressed by dietary highly unsaturated fatty acids.
Developmental stage:
Found in fetal heart.
Molecular Function:
Biological Processes:
- Alpha-Linolenic Acid Metabolic Process
- Linoleic Acid Metabolic Process
- Unsaturated Fatty Acid Biosynthetic Process