Functional analysis of novel SOX2 complex using in vitro gene transcription system employing genomic DNA as template

2019 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 17K07287
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Molecular biology
• Research Institution: Nagasaki University
• Principal Investigator: NAKAGAWA Takeya 長崎大学, 医歯薬学総合研究科(医学系), 助教 (50363502)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 今村 優子 長崎大学, 医歯薬学総合研究科(医学系), 客員研究員 (50610937)
• Project Period (FY): 2017-04-01 – 2020-03-31
• Keywords: 遺伝子転写 / 細胞分化 / クロマチン / 細胞の初期化 / iPS細胞 / 再生医療 / リボソームRNA

Outline of Final Research Achievements

SOX2 is one of the genes used to generate iPS cells. Understanding its function is expected to contribute to regenerative medicine. In this project, we performed a functional analysis of novel SOX2 complex. Because TBP is an important gene for gene transcriptional regulation, we focused on TBP among proteins included in the SOX2 complex. We demonstrated that SOX2 and TBP cooperatively activate transcription of ribosomal RNA by using an experimental method that reproduces gene transcription in vitro. It was also revealed that SOX2 and TBP cause structural changes in the region of ribosomal RNA gene transcriptional regulation on the genome. These results revealed that SOX2 regulates ribosomal RNA trnascription.

Free Research Field

生化学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

細胞の分化を人工的にコントロールし、例えば心筋細胞、脳神経細胞、肝細胞など疾患の治療に利用できる細胞を作製することは国民の健康維持のために非常に有益だと考え得る。本研究課題では細胞の分化を抑える役割を担う遺伝子であるSOX2の機能の一部を明らかにした。この様な細胞分化のコントロールに関する知見を積み重ねていくことが、将来的な細胞や臓器を再生し移植する再生医療の実現へと繋がって行く。