Understanding molecular dynamics underlying behavioral plasticity

2018 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 16H06175
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (A)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Research Field: Genetics/Chromosome dynamics
• Research Institution: Shiga University of Medical Science
• Principal Investigator: Sugi Takuma 滋賀医科大学, 神経難病研究センター, 助教 (70571305)
• Project Period (FY): 2016-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: 線虫 / 行動 / 記憶

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Animals cope with environmental stimuli through its own behavioral plasticity. In this study, I investigated the mechanism underlying the behavioral plasticity in C. elegans. I first found that an activity of a MAP kinase oscillates in vivo. Therefore, I analyzed this oscillation using biochemical and imaging techniques. As a result, I showed that the oscillation of MAP kinase activity underlies plasticity of C. elegans mechanosensory behavior. I further analyzed the coding and decoding mechanism of the oscillation during establishment of behavioral plasticity. I summarized these results and am now submitting manuscript in a journal.

Free Research Field

分子遺伝学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

p38は別名ストレス応答性キナーゼと呼ばれ, ストレス応答を制御するマスターレギュレーターである. 本研究で注目した力学刺激は１つの物理的ストレスともみなすことができ, その処理機構の一端を示したこととも同義である. 現在, 他のストレス刺激下における動的変化の時間パターンの違いからのストレス刺激識別機構の解明しつつある.