Neuro-pathogenesis of flavivirus by hijack of dendritic transport

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 16K15032
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Veterinary medical science
• Research Institution: Hokkaido University
• Principal Investigator: YOSHII Kentaro 北海道大学, 獣医学研究院, 准教授 (50421988)
• Project Period (FY): 2016-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: フラビウイルス / 局所翻訳制御 / 脳高次機能

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Flaviviruses represent a significant threat to public health worldwide, and several flaviviruses cause severe neurological disease in humans and animals. However, no specific treatment has been developed due to the lack of information about the detailed pathogenic mechanisms. In current study, we revealed that the transport of the viral RNA of tick-borne flavivirus in neuronal dendrites was involved in the development of the neurological disease. The virus hijacked the transport system of host mRNA in dendrites, which is important for neuronal functions, such as neurogenesis and the plasticity of the synaptic communication. Our findings of this unique virus-host interaction will promote the study of neurodegenerative diseases caused by disruption of dendritic mRNA transport and development of their treatment.

Free Research Field

獣医公衆衛生学