Identification of components and elucidation of molecular mechanisms of unused seaweeds for inhibition of protein aberrant aggregation

2019 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 17K07308
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Structural biochemistry
• Research Institution: Tottori University
• Principal Investigator: YAGI Hisashi 鳥取大学, 工学研究科, 准教授 (10432494)
• Project Period (FY): 2017-04-01 – 2020-03-31
• Keywords: アミロイド線維 / 海藻 / 蛋白質異常凝集検出装置

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Abnormal aggregation of causative proteins is involved in age-related diseases, including dementia and type II diabetes. A curative treatment has not been developed thus the prevention of the disease is important. As a preventive method, we focused on unused seaweed growing in Tottori Prefecture and investigated the usefulness of seaweed components. As a result, we found that inhibition of the formation of abnormal protein aggregates which related diseases. It showed that the seaweed, which grows abundantly and is familiar in Japan, was usefulness.

Free Research Field

タンパク質科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

海藻は日本に約2000種類生育しているが、食用海藻は約100種類でその多くは雑海藻である。海藻は健康増進食材として馴染みがあるが、多くの海藻は未利用・低利用である。学術成果として認知症の発症予防や生活習慣病改善が期待できる未利用海藻成分の候補を発見し、成分同定の段階まできた。社会的意義として未利用海藻等の付加価値を高め、日本人の食文化に含まれる海藻から科学的根拠に基づいて健康寿命を高め、また、地域水産業の新たな取り組みに貢献できる。