Epigenetic mechanism of adipocyte dysfunction under overnutrition

2018 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 16K07220
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: System genome science
• Research Institution: The University of Tokyo
• Principal Investigator: Matsumura Yoshihiro 東京大学, 先端科学技術研究センター, 准教授 (20375257)
• Research Collaborator: Kawamura Takeshi
• Project Period (FY): 2016-04-01 – 2019-03-31
• Keywords: 脂肪細胞 / エピゲノム / 糖代謝 / ヒストンメチル化 / ヒストンアセチル化 / ヒストン脱メチル化

Outline of Final Research Achievements

When the environment changes, cells change their character and adapt to the environmental changes. The character of cells are known to be regulated by epigenome, an acquired genetic information. Adipocytes uptake carbohydrate when energy is excess and store it as lipids. Adipocytes were cultured under conditions of excess or deficiency of carbohydrate, and gene expression and epigenome were comprehensively analyzed. It has been revealed that extracellular carbohydrate as well as histone methylation, one of the epigenome, regulate carbohydrate uptake and lipid accumulation in adipocytes.

Free Research Field

ゲノム科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

代謝の良し悪しは遺伝的素因だけでなく、環境要因によって決まる。糖を取込み、脂肪を蓄えやすいといった性質は、糖そのものと後天的に書きかわるエピゲノムを介した仕組みで、脂肪細胞に記憶されていることが明らかになった。この知見は、体質改善やメタボリックシンドロームの予防に役立つと期待される。