Search and functional analysis of novel bioactive peptides with fatty acid-modification

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15K15357
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Endocrinology
• Research Institution: National Cardiovascular Center Research Institute
• Principal Investigator: Miyazato Mikiya 国立研究開発法人国立循環器病研究センター, 研究所, 部長 (50291183)
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 脂肪酸修飾ペプチド / 脂肪酸転移酵素 / グレリン / 摂食・エネルギー代謝調節

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The present study aimed to identify novel bioactive peptides modified with fatty acids and to elucidate new biological regulatory mechanism. Radioimmunoassay (RIA) for ghrelin, which is a fatty acid modified peptide, was performed to screen for novel fatty acid-modified peptides from rat brain. We purified a peptide, which is detected only by the RIA for ghrelin N-terminus. Mass spectrometric analysis suggested that this peptide was contained octanoyl modification and that the observed monoisotopic m/z value of this peptide was distinct from that of preproghrelin-derived peptides. Amino acid sequence of this peptide still remains unknown because the yield for this peptide was very low. Moreover, we searched for ghrelin-like gene using 3'-RACE method from rat hypothalamic cDNA. However, no candidate gene could be identified. We searched for endogenous ligands for orphan receptors with high homology to ghrelin receptor. In this screening, we could not identify novel acylated peptides.

Free Research Field

内分泌学、ペプチド化学