Morphological approach to understanding the intracellular degradation machinery in endocrine cells

2018 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15K18951
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: General anatomy (including histology/embryology)
• Research Institution: Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine (2017-2018); Asahikawa Medical College (2015-2016)
• Principal Investigator: Bochimoto Hiroki 帯広畜産大学, 畜産学部, 特任准教授 (60632841)
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2019-03-31
• Keywords: 電子顕微鏡

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, we analyzed the ultrastructural characteristics with functional molecular localization in rat pituitary gonadotropes under continuous administration of GnRH agonist. Upon continuous stimulation on the GnRH receptor, anomalous tubuloreticular ER patches appeared concomitant with functional suppression of gonadotropes. In the ER patches that appeared in the stimulated gonadotropes, ER molecular chaperons and ERAD-related molecules were accumulated. In parallel to appearance of anomalous ER patches, the accumulation of p62 and multilamellar components as reflection of activated autophagy processes appeared in cytoplasm of the stimulated gonadotropes. These findings indicated that ERAD may be related to autophagy in gonadotropes stimulated by a GnRH agonist.

Free Research Field

顕微解剖学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究では細胞内微細構造と機能分子局在変化の正確な把握のために、光学顕微鏡、透過電顕および走査電顕技術を駆使・洗練する必要があり、本研究遂行によって確度の高い、精密な形態学的解析技術を確立することができた。また、本研究では性腺刺激ホルモン産生細胞における生理機能を形態学的側面と照合することで、同細胞における細胞内分解系に関わる新たな所見を発見でき、同細胞の生理機能の基盤解明に貢献した。これらの基盤的知見は今後、応用的に性ホルモンが関わる疾患の診断・治療に役立つ可能性があると考えられる。