Establishing a new natural product ligand biosynthesis system for producing therapeutic agents for Alzheimer's disease

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15K18886
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Natural medicines
• Research Institution: Iwate Medical University
• Principal Investigator: ASANO TAKASHI 岩手医科大学, 薬学部, 助教 (10552888)
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: 毛状根 / 植物内生菌

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The cause of Alzheimer's disease is still unclear, so it cannot be completely cured. Most drug development is focused on delaying the progression of symptoms, and researchers have demonstrated the effectiveness of multiple alkaloids in this capacity. This study was focused on Amaryllidaceae and quinolizidine alkaloids. We established hairy root cultures that overexpresses quinolizidine alkaloid biosynthesis genes to provide a foundation for the production of effective therapeutic agents for Alzheimer's disease. We were also able to isolate alkaloid-producing endophyte from the bulb scales of a plant in the family Amaryllidaceae.

Free Research Field

天然医薬資源学