Functional analysis of novel maternal factors controlling germ cell formation

2020 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 17H03686
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Developmental biology
• Research Institution: Kumamoto University
• Principal Investigator: Nakamura Akira 熊本大学, 発生医学研究所, 教授 (90323245)
• Project Period (FY): 2017-04-01 – 2021-03-31
• Keywords: ショウジョウバエ / 生殖細胞 / 生殖質 / RNA顆粒

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Germ cells are the only cell type that transmits genetic information to the next generation. In Drosophila, germ cell formation relies on the germ plasm, which is assembled during oogenesis at the posterior pole of the oocyte. We have investigated mechanisms by which the germ plasm is assembled and maintained, as well as those by which germ cell development is operated. Series of our studies have provided several new concepts, including a new physiological roles of yolk uptake into the oocyte and transient transcriptional quiescence in newly formed germ cells. We have also identified new maternal factors that are involved in germ plasm assembly. Studies on these new factors will provide new insights into mechanisms underlying germ cell development in the future.

Free Research Field

発生生物学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究では、ショウジョウバエをモデル系として用いて、生殖細胞の形成・分化に関する研究を進めた。一連の成果から、①卵黄タンパク質の受容体を介した取り込みが、単に胚発生過程で必要な養分の蓄積という役割だけでなく、卵形成過程における前後軸の形成維持や生殖質形成に機能するという新しい知見や、②生殖細胞における一過的かつゲノムワイドな転写抑制の生理的意義等が明らかとなった。これら新しい知見は、生命現象を支配する基本的かつ普遍的な制御プロセスの理解に貢献する学術的意義を持つ。