| Budget Amount *help |
¥4,940,000 (Direct Cost: ¥3,800,000、Indirect Cost: ¥1,140,000)
Fiscal Year 2010: ¥1,430,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,100,000、Indirect Cost: ¥330,000)
Fiscal Year 2009: ¥1,430,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,100,000、Indirect Cost: ¥330,000)
Fiscal Year 2008: ¥2,080,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,600,000、Indirect Cost: ¥480,000)
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| Research Abstract |
During ontogenesis, the vertebrates including Xenopus frogs show morphological changes from embryonic- (larval-) tissues into the adult counterparts. This process is called tissue remodeling. The most drastic tissue remodeling is seen in the tail regression during amphibian metamorphosis. We have preciously proposed a model that the adult-type immune cells, which are newly differentiated during metamorphosis, recognize and remove own tail as non-self. In other words, we postulated that the acquired immune system contributes not only self-defense but also to remodeling processes in animal morphogenesis. This unique model isn't represented except for us. Recently, we isolated genes encoding the antigen proteins, Ouro1 and Ouro2, as candidates being targets for adult immune T cells. In this study, to clarify function of these ouro1 and ouro2 genes, 1), we produced F1, F2 and F3 of ouro-transgenic tadpoles to analyze gain- and loss-of function. 2), Results indicated that expressions of both Ouro1 and Ouro2 proteins are required for the tadpole tail regression. 3), By immunohistochemical analyses, it was shown that Ouro1 and Ouro2 became co-expressed in the tail epidermal cells at metamorphic periods. 4), we identified Ouro ortholog from other amphibian (urodela). It was also expressed during metamorphosis of salamander. These results suggest that this Ouro-mediated system may contribute to more general processes in vertebrate morphogenesis.
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