Saving the frog: Understanding how Japanese frogs are resistant to a deadly worldwide fungal disease through in silico and in vitro assays of MHC and related immune genes

2019 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 17K15053
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Conservation of biological resources
• Research Institution: The Graduate University for Advanced Studies
• Principal Investigator: LAU QUINTIN 総合研究大学院大学, 先導科学研究科, 客員研究員 (60794518)
• Project Period (FY): 2017-04-01 – 2020-03-31
• Keywords: MHC / frogs / immunogenetics

Outline of Final Research Achievements

My research focused on an immune gene called major histocompatibility complex (MHC) in Japanese frogs. MHC receptors recognize specific antigens and are important for adaptive immunity. The deadly chytrid fungus is killing many frogs worldwide, but frogs in East Asia seem to be resistant.
I investigated MHC gene expression in tadpole skin in Rana ornativentris and Xenopus frogs, and found that MHC and immune genes have increased expression after the mid-tadpole stages. I also generated cDNA library from 12 Japanese frog species to understand more about their immune genes, especially MHC sequences. Using computational analyses, I found evidence that MHC alleles from the 12 species share some similar physicochemical properties, despite species divergence millions of years ago. This supports that MHC genes were shaped by evolution and possibly in response to a common pathogen like the chytrid fungus.

Free Research Field

免疫遺伝学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究は、カエルの免疫遺伝学及び宿主と病原体の進化をさらに深く理解することに貢献する。
さらに、本研究は保全遺伝学分野において、『致死性のツボカビから全世界のカエルを守る』という最終目的の達成にも貢献できる。