A study of microenvironment for maintenance or acquisition of malignant property

2018 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15H02361
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (A)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Tumor biology
• Research Institution: Kanazawa University
• Principal Investigator: HIRAO Atsushi 金沢大学, がん進展制御研究所, 教授 (90343350)
• Research Collaborator: Tadokoro Yuko ; Kobayashi Masahiko ; Ueno Masaya
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2019-03-31
• Keywords: がん / 幹細胞 / 栄養

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, we aimed to understand molecular mechanisms of malignant property in aspect of stem cell regulation by nutrient signals. As a result, firstly, we found that activation of mTOR complex 1 induces upregulation of glycolysis and mitochondrial activity and contributes to good balance between energy consumption and production for tumor progression. Secondly, we revealed that combining a Ca2+ mobilizer with the autophagy inhibitor remarkably suppress tumor growth in vitro and in vivo, proposing new therapeutics for GBM patients. Thirdly, we discovered an important tumor suppressive mechanism in hematopoietic stem cells against the ill effects caused by the dysbiosis (microbial imbalance) of gut microbiota induced by a high fat diet.

Free Research Field

幹細胞生物学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究では，日常的な栄養環境がどのように，がんの発生や悪性化に寄与しているのかという疑問に対し，分子レベルでの制御機構の理解を進めた。その結果，新たな治療標的分子の発見やがんの発症の予防に寄与できる複数の研究成果を得ることができた。本研究を通して得られた成果は，将来，健康福祉の観点から社会に貢献することが期待される。