Studies on novel epigenetic regulator of the sex-determine in mammal

• Project/Area Number: 16K18492
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Molecular biology
• Research Institution: The University of Tokushima
• Principal Investigator: OKASHITA Naoki 徳島大学, 先端酵素学研究所(次世代), 助教 (10757933)
• Research Collaborator: TACHIBANA Makoto 徳島大学, 先端酵素学研究所, 教授 (80303915)
• Project Period (FY): 2016-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Project Status: Completed (Fiscal Year 2017)
• Budget Amount: ¥4,290,000 (Direct Cost: ¥3,300,000、Indirect Cost: ¥990,000); Fiscal Year 2017: ¥2,080,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,600,000、Indirect Cost: ¥480,000); Fiscal Year 2016: ¥2,210,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,700,000、Indirect Cost: ¥510,000)
• Keywords: 性決定 / エピジェネティクス / Sry

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In mammals, the sex-determining gene Sry on the Y chromosome initiates testis differentiation in embryonic gonads. Sry expression in gonads is fine-tuned in both space and time. We previously demonstrated that Histone H3 lysine 9 (H3K9) demethylation Jmjd1a plays an indispensable role in mouse sex development. However, little is known about epigenetic regulators other than Jmjd1a responsible for regulation of Sry expression.
As a result of our analysis, methylcytosine dioxygenases (Tets), H3K9 methylases (Suv39h) and H3K9 methyl binders (HP1 family) played an important role in regulation of Sry expression.

Research Products

• [Journal Article] Rescuing the aberrant sex development of H3K9 demethylase Jmjd1a-deficient mice by modulating H3K9 methylation balance (2017)
  • Author(s): Shunsuke Kuroki, Naoki Okashita, Baba Shoko, Maeda Ryo, Shingo Miyawaki, Masashi Yano, Yamaguchi Miyoko, Kitano Satsuki, Miyachi Hitoshi, Itoh Akihiro, Yoshida Minoru and Makoto Tachibana
  • Journal Title: PLoS Genetics Volume: 13(9) Issue: 9 Pages: 1-22
  • DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1007034
  • NAID: 120006812002
  • Peer Reviewed / Open Access