Systematic analysis of the glutamine-gulutamate cycle in the mice inner ear

• Project/Area Number: 25861542
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Otorhinolaryngology
• Research Institution: Shinshu University
• Principal Investigator: OGUCHI Tomohiro 信州大学, 医学部, 委嘱講師 (10377640)
• Research Collaborator: USAMI Shin-ichi 信州大学, 学術研究院医学系, 教授 (10184996)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Project Status: Completed (Fiscal Year 2015)
• Budget Amount: ¥4,160,000 (Direct Cost: ¥3,200,000、Indirect Cost: ¥960,000); Fiscal Year 2015: ¥1,170,000 (Direct Cost: ¥900,000、Indirect Cost: ¥270,000); Fiscal Year 2014: ¥1,300,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,000,000、Indirect Cost: ¥300,000); Fiscal Year 2013: ¥1,690,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,300,000、Indirect Cost: ¥390,000)
• Keywords: 難聴 / 遺伝子 / グルタミン酸 / 耳科学 / 内耳 / グルタミン / 神経伝達物質

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Glutamate has been implicated in signal transmission between inner hair cells and afferent fibers of the organ of Corti. The inner hair cells are enriched in glutamate and the postsynaptic membranes express AMPA glutamate receptors. However, it is not known whether inner hair cells contain a mechanism for glutamate replenishment. Such a mechanism must be in place to sustain glutamate neurotransmission. We performed RT-PCR and immunofluorescence analysis of system N transporter. We also performed genetic analysis of Japanese sensorineural hearing loss patients and find one family with SLC17A8 mutation.

Research Products

• [Presentation] 日本人難聴患者におけるSLC17A8遺伝子の解析 (2015)
  • Author(s): 横田陽、宮川麻衣子、茂木英明、西尾信哉、小口智啓、宇佐美真一
  • Organizer: 第4回 耳鼻咽喉科フロンティアカンファレンス
  • Place of Presentation: グランドホテル大雪、旭川
  • Year and Date: 2015-09-05