Investigation of the mechanism of protective effects of sex steroid hormones in neurodegenerative diseases from a new perspective

• Project/Area Number: 25K11788
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 54040:Metabolism and endocrinology-related
• Research Institution: Yamaguchi University
• Principal Investigator: JAHAN MIRRUBAYET 山口大学, 大学院医学系研究科, 学術研究員(寄附金) (60985422)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 篠田 晃 名古屋学芸大学, ヒューマンケア学部, 教授 (40192108)
• Project Period (FY): 2025-04-01 – 2028-03-31
• Project Status: Granted (Fiscal Year 2025)
• Budget Amount: ¥4,680,000 (Direct Cost: ¥3,600,000、Indirect Cost: ¥1,080,000); Fiscal Year 2027: ¥1,430,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,100,000、Indirect Cost: ¥330,000); Fiscal Year 2026: ¥1,560,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,200,000、Indirect Cost: ¥360,000); Fiscal Year 2025: ¥1,690,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,300,000、Indirect Cost: ¥390,000)
• Keywords: Sex steroid receptors / Estrogen / Androgen / Neuroprotection

Outline of Research at the Start

Our previous in vitro studies demonstrated that HAP1 is co-expressed with steroid hormone receptors (SHRs), suggesting it may influence steroid hormone-related NDs by modulating SHRs. To clarify this, we will investigate changes in the immunomorphology and expression of sex SHRs (androgen, estrogen, progesterone receptors) and their functions using our recently generated HAP1 knockout (HAP1-KO) mice. The outcome of this study may introduce a new paradigm on steroid hormone-related NDs’ etiology: lack of HAP1 in the neurons makes them vulnerable to neurodegeneration.