Investigation of roles of Otx2 homeoprotein in experience-dependent auditory plasticity

2018 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 17K16918
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Otorhinolaryngology
• Research Institution: Okayama University
• Principal Investigator: Edamatsu Midori 岡山大学, 医歯薬学総合研究科, 助教 (10735343)
• Project Period (FY): 2017-04-01 – 2019-03-31
• Keywords: 聴覚

Outline of Final Research Achievements

It is found in the visual cortex; a homeoprotein called Orthodenticle homeobox (Otx2) is transported specifically into parvalbumin (PV) inhibitory interneurons and play a crucial role in regulating cortical plasticity in the visual cortex by controlling both the onset and closure of the critical period of plasticity for visual sense. However, the roles of Otx2 in the auditory plasticity remain unclear. We generated conditional knockout mice of Otx2 and are analyzing the roles of Otx2 in auditory plasticity. we performed the comprehensive analysis from the cortex developmental point of view using RNA-Seq. In the future, we are planning to perform the functional analysis of these candidate genes.

Free Research Field

神経科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

聴覚可塑性の仕組みが解明され，その開始を司る分子が明らかになれば，人工内耳の適用基準の改善や基準に新たな根拠を提供できる。さらに可塑性の再活性化が可能となれば，この原理をもとに人工内耳や聴性脳幹インプラントによる治療，リハビリテーションをさらに発展させることができる。本研究で可塑性のコントロールが可能になれば，将来的にはこのような聴神経や聴覚中枢の障害を修復し，脳の機能を再建する治療法の開発へも繋がる可能性を秘めている。