Unveiling TRβ’s Role in Species-Specific Ontogeny and Pigmentation in Clownfis

• Project/Area Number: 25K02328
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 45020:Evolutionary biology-related; Basic Section 45010:Genetics-related; Sections That Are Subject to Joint Review: Basic Section45010:Genetics-related ,Basic Section45020:Evolutionary biology-related
• Research Institution: Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University
• Principal Investigator: LAUDET Vincent 沖縄科学技術大学院大学, 海洋生態進化発生生物学ユニット, 教授 (20898423)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 木下 政人 京都大学, 農学研究科, 准教授 (60263125)
• Project Period (FY): 2025-04-01 – 2029-03-31
• Project Status: Granted (Fiscal Year 2025)
• Budget Amount: ¥18,720,000 (Direct Cost: ¥14,400,000、Indirect Cost: ¥4,320,000); Fiscal Year 2028: ¥3,770,000 (Direct Cost: ¥2,900,000、Indirect Cost: ¥870,000); Fiscal Year 2027: ¥4,680,000 (Direct Cost: ¥3,600,000、Indirect Cost: ¥1,080,000); Fiscal Year 2026: ¥4,680,000 (Direct Cost: ¥3,600,000、Indirect Cost: ¥1,080,000); Fiscal Year 2025: ¥5,590,000 (Direct Cost: ¥4,300,000、Indirect Cost: ¥1,290,000)
• Keywords: Anemonefish / Pigmentation / Thyroid hormones / EvoDevo

Outline of Research at the Start

This research investigates how thyroid hormone receptor TRβ regulates ontogenetic shifts in two clownfish species, focusing on the timing of white bar formation. We will identify TRβ regulatory elements and test their function through genetic and pharmacological approaches. By extending beyond pigmentation to include metabolism and vision, and leveraging clownfish as a dual field-lab model, our study offers a mechanistic, in vivo perspective on hormone-driven development with broader implications for vertebrate endocrinology and human thyroid disorders.