Epigenetics of Next-Generation Inheritance in Sperm Aging

2018 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 17H06529
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Research Field: Obstetrics and gynecology
• Research Institution: Tohoku University
• Principal Investigator: Kobayashi Norio 東北大学, 医学系研究科, 助教 (10803885)
• Project Period (FY): 2017-08-25 – 2019-03-31
• Keywords: ヒト精子 / DNAメチル化 / エピゲノム

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Several studies have suggested that advanced paternal age has deleterious effects on epigenetic changes. We examined the relationships between DNA methylation in the sperm of advanced age and neurodevelopmental disorders. We found a negative correlation to a sperm count and age. The unique methylation pattern was shown with the aged sperm and associated with neurodevelopmental gene regions. We found that the methylation alternations caused by exercise, smoking, and diets.Our results suggest that the underlying mechanism for the epigenetic changes may be the possibility of transgenerational epigenetic diseases of the male germ line and has the potential to provide new insights into neurodevelopmental disorders.

Free Research Field

分子生物学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

近年、疫学調査では、児の自閉症発症の頻度と父親の年齢が関連するとの報告がみられる。本研究では、ヒト加齢精子のエピゲノム変異と精神神経発達との関連性について検討した。その結果、精子のエピゲノム変異は、運動や栄養、ストレス等と関連することがわかり、適切な指導はエピゲノム変異を予防することや治療法の開発の可能性も予想された。今後、自閉症などの発症メカニズムについて検討することで、疾患発症予防、治療法の開発に繋げるものと期待できる。