The analysis for mechanism of lifespan regulation by RNA-binding protein through the regulation of gut microbiota

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 16K15213
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: General medical chemistry
• Research Institution: The University of Tokyo
• Principal Investigator: Yamazumi Yusuke 東京大学, 分子細胞生物学研究所, 助教 (40773768)
• Project Period (FY): 2016-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 細菌叢

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We have previously found that Mex-3B-deficient male mice are long-lived and display improved insulin sensitivity. We also observed that Mex-3B deficiency changes gut microbiota. Since gut microbiota has been reported to affect insulin sensitivity, we speculated that Mex-3B affects insulin sensitivity and life span through regulation of gut microbiota. To test the hypothesis, we performed antibiotics treatment experiment or fecal transplantation experiment. Through these experiments, we found that Mex-3B regulates insulin sensitivity through the regulation of gut microbiota.

Free Research Field

医歯薬学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

我々は、Mex-3Bというタンパク質が欠損したマウスにおいて、腸内細菌の構成が変化することで基礎代謝が向上していることを見出した。基礎代謝の向上は寿命の延長に寄与していることから、我々の発見は寿命の制御機構の一端を明らかにしたと言える。