Sterol metabolism of pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas) spat

• Published in: Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part B: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
• Main Authors: Knauer, J, Kerr, R G, Lindley, D, Southgate, Paul C
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Inc. 1998
• Subjects: FoR 0601 (Biochemistry and Cell Biology); FoR 0606 (Physiology); FoR 0608 (Zoology); bioconversion; bivalve; crassostrea gigas; metabolism; microcapsules; pacific oyster; sterols; de novo synthesis; Gam; Pacific; Crassostrea gigas; Pacific oyster
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0305-0491(97)00269-1

The sterol metabolism of Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas) spat was investigated. 3H-squalene, 3H-desmosterol and 3H-fucosterol were mixed with oleic acid and separately encapsulated in gelatin-acacia microcapsules (GAM). Spat were fed one type of GAM for 7 days and were then unfed for 2 days. No labeled sterols were detected in spat fed GAM containing 3H-squalene, demonstrating the absence of de novo sterol synthesis in C. gigas spat. 3H-desmosterol, a C27 sterol, was alkylated to the C28 sterols 24-methylenecholesterol and 24 methylcholesterol and was also reduced to cholesterol. In spat fed GAM containing 3H-fucosterol, a C29 sterol, radioactive desmosterol and cholesterol (C27 sterols) and radioactive 24-methylenecholesterol and 24-methylcholesterol (C28 sterols) were recovered. These results demonstrate that C. gigas spat is capable of both alkylation and dealkylation of dietary sterols.