Chromatin dynamics in the regulation of TCR Valpha14Jalpha18 rearrangement

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15K08291
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: General medical chemistry
• Research Institution: Institute of Physical and Chemical Research
• Principal Investigator: Kojo Satoshi 国立研究開発法人理化学研究所, 統合生命医科学研究センター, 上級研究員 (70360542)
• Co-Investigator(Renkei-kenkyūsha): TANIGUCHI Masaru 国立研究開発法人理化学研究所, 統合生命医科学研究センター, 特別顧問/グループディレクター (80110310) ; IKAWA Tomokatsu 国立研究開発法人理化学研究所, 統合生命医科学研究センター, 上級研究員 (60450392)
• Research Collaborator: OZAWA Ritsuko 国立研究開発法人理化学研究所, 統合生命医科学研究センター, テクニカルスタッフ
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: NKT細胞 / T細胞受容体遺伝子再構成 / クロマチン / 転写因子

Outline of Final Research Achievements

NKT cell expresses invariant T cell receptor (TCR) Vα14Jα18 gene and recognizes glycolipid antigen presented on MHC class I-like antigen presenting molecule CD1d. In this study, to clarify the mechanisms of specific gene rearrangement of TCR Vα14Jα18, we tried to find responsible transcription factor(s) by the detection of TCR Vα14 promoter binding proteins. After the screening of candidate genes, which can bind to promoter region of TCR Vα14, 18 gene knockout mouse lines were generated by the CRISPR/Cas9 system. Severe reduction of NKT cell in the thymus and peripheral lymphoid organs was observed in the two knockout lines, suggesting that these Vα14 promoter-binding proteins are important for the regulation of NKT cell development.

Free Research Field

分子免疫学