Study of mechanisms of viral PLAMP production and PLAMP-mediated regulation of pathogenicity

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project Area: Establishment of PLAMP as a new concept to determine self and nonself for obligatory intracellular pathogens
• Project/Area Number: 20H05773
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Transformative Research Areas (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Review Section: Transformative Research Areas, Section (III)
• Research Institution: Kyoto University
• Principal Investigator: Hashiguchi Takao 京都大学, 医生物学研究所, 教授 (50632098)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-10-02 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 膜融合 / 構造 / エントリー / PLAMP

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In order to elucidate the pathogenic regulatory mechanisms mediated by PLAMP (Pathogen "Life cycle"-Associated Molecular Pattern) during viral infection (cell entry by membrane fusion and budding by membrane fission) using paramyxoviruses and coronaviruses, a combination strategy of structural biology and virological methods were used. As the results, we observed that IFN-inducible molecules, host-derived ligand-like molecules, and carbohydrate chains affect cell entry.

Free Research Field

ウイルス学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

パラミクソウイルス科は、麻疹（はしか）を起こす麻疹ウイルスや流行性耳下腺炎（おたふくかぜ）の原因であるムンプスウイルスを、コロナウイルス科は重症肺炎などを起こす新型コロナウイルスといった臨床上重要な病原体を含む。従って、これらのウイルスにおけるPLAMPを通じた病原性の理解とその感染制御に関する研究を行うことは、ウイルスへの学問的な理解だけに留まらず、予防・治療法への活用を含めた感染対策として医療や福祉にも貢献が期待できる。