Study of neural circuit formation regulated by primary cilia

2020 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 17H05003
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (A)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Research Field: Cell biology
• Research Institution: Kwansei Gakuin University (2019-2020); Nara Institute of Science and Technology (2017-2018)
• Principal Investigator: Toriyama Michinori 関西学院大学, 理工学部, 講師 (90457151)
• Project Period (FY): 2017-04-01 – 2020-03-31
• Keywords: 一次繊毛 / 繊毛病 / 神経成長因子 / 神経回路網形成 / 不飽和脂肪酸

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, we focused on the identification of extracellular molecules that regulate the formation of primary cilia in neurons and the analysis of intracellular signaling mechanisms. We found that stimulation with nerve growth factor and unsaturated fatty acids such as docosahexaenoic acid promoted the formation of primary cilia in neurons. In addition, we found a new mechanism by which these extracellular stimuli promote the formation of primary cilia by increasing the intracellular calcium concentration, activating the transcription factor NFAT, increasing the expression of COX-2, and producing PGE2.

Free Research Field

神経科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究ではこれまで理解が進んでいなかった神経細胞の一次繊毛の形成に関わる分子機構が明らかとなった。DHAなどの不飽和脂肪酸は脳機能の記憶/学習能力の向上に関わることが先行研究から明らかとなっているが、その作用機序の全容は定かではない。今回の研究により不飽和脂肪酸が神経細胞の一次繊毛の形成を促進することで、一次繊毛を介したシグナル受容と細胞応答が促進され脳機能の向上に関与する可能性が示唆された。