Gene expression of fatty acid-binding proteins, fatty acid transport proteins (cd36 and FATP) and β-oxidation-related genes in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) fed fish oil or vegetable oil

Relative gene expression pattern of fatty acid transport proteins (FATP and cd36), intracellular fatty acid-binding proteins (FABP3, FABP10 and FABP11), β-oxidation-related genes carnitine palmitoyl transferase II (CPTII), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor β (PPARβ), acyl-CoA oxidase (AOX), long-chain fatty acyl-CoA synthetase (FACS), acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (dehydrogenase)] and uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) was assessed by RT-qPCR in Atlantic salmon muscle (red and white), liver, heart, myosepta and visceral fat. FABP11, a FABP isoform not previously described in Atlantic salmon, was highly expressed in visceral fat and myosepta and at the lower level in red muscle, white muscle, myosepta and heart. Furthermore, Atlantic salmon were fed either a diet containing fish oil (FO) or a complete replacement of FO with a vegetable oil blend (55% rapeseed oil, 30% palm oil and 15% linseed oil; VO) for the production cycle (27 months from start of feeding and until ∼4.5 kg mean weight). The expression of genes related to β-oxidation, fatty acid uptake and transport in the white muscle indicate ( n  = 3) significant down-regulation in VO fed Atlantic salmon and correlated with previously reported white muscle triacylglycerol stores and β-oxidation. FABP11 in visceral fat and myosepta was also down-regulated in VO fed fish.