Diversity of the Golgi apparatus and maturation process: creation of the Golgi library

2019 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 16K08458
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: General anatomy (including histology/embryology)
• Research Institution: Asahikawa Medical College
• Principal Investigator: Koga Daisuke 旭川医科大学, 医学部, 准教授 (30467071)
• Project Period (FY): 2016-04-01 – 2020-03-31
• Keywords: ゴルジ装置 / 連続切片SEM法 / 3D再構築 / 下垂体前葉

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, we have visualized the entire three-dimensional (3D) shape of the Golgi apparatus in anterior pituitary endocrine cells and revealed the morphological diversity of this organelle in individual endocrine cells by using a serial-section scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and 3D reconstruction method. Because the anterior pituitary comprises several different hormone-producing cells, it is difficult to identify each endocrine cell type in this tissue by only morphological analysis. Thus, we developed a novel 3D imaging technique that combines serial-section SEM and immunocytochemistry. Using this novel method, we were able to analyze the 3D structure of the Golgi apparatus in targeted anterior pituitary cells that were identified accurately by the immunocytochemical approach.

Free Research Field

解剖学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究課題を通して、これまで単純な模式図で表現されてきたゴルジ装置が、実は空間的に複雑な形状を呈していることを示すことができた。また、哺乳動物の生体内では、ゴルジ装置は巨大なオルガネラであり、連続した一連の構造体であることも実証することができた。さらに、本研究で開発に成功した新たな連続切片SEM・3D再構築法(免疫細胞化学法を組み合わせた手法)は、下垂体前葉組織だけに留まらず、同様に多種類の内分泌細胞が混在する膵島や消化管の散在性内分泌細胞の解析(ゴルジ関連分子の局在解析など)にも適応可能であり、複雑な生体組織内で特定の細胞を解析対象とする研究の発展への波及効果は大きい。