Molecular mechanisms for plasma membrane damage-dependent cellular senescence

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15K19012
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: General medical chemistry
• Research Institution: Nagoya City University
• Principal Investigator: KONO Keiko 名古屋市立大学, 大学院医学研究科, 講師 (30632723)
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 細胞創傷治癒 / 細胞老化

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We found that physical damage to the plasma membrane induces the formation of "scars", membrane projections with altered lipid composition, after plasma membrane repair in budding yeast and human cultured cells. Genetic manipulation that removes the scars significantly extended yeast replicative lifespan. These results suggest that the scar itself, or the altered phospholipid composition, seems to be a cause for cellular senescence after plasma membrane damage. During the course of these studies, we unexpectedly discovered a previously unappreciated cell cycle checkpoint that senses plasma membrane damage. The "plasma membrane damage checkpoint" transiently arrests the cell cycle in yeasts and human cultured cells.

Free Research Field

細胞生物学