mRNA localization in the mouse olfactory sensory systems

2019 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 17K17884
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: General medical chemistry; Neurophysiology / General neuroscience
• Research Institution: Niigata University
• Principal Investigator: Fukuda Nanaho 新潟大学, 脳研究所, 講師 (00415283)
• Project Period (FY): 2017-04-01 – 2020-03-31
• Keywords: 転写後制御 / RNA結合タンパク質

Outline of Final Research Achievements

mRNA localization is a widely employed mechanism that controls protein expression in a spatial and temporal manner. In this study, we revealed that Hnrnpab, an RNA binding protein related to mRNA localization, plays a key role in the mouse olfacotry sensory neurons. Hnrnpab is highly expressed in the immature olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs), and RNA immunoprecipitation study showed that Hnrnpab targets to a group of mRNAs which are involved in axon targeting. Analsis of Hnrnpab knockout mice revealed that Hnrnpab KO mice have thinner olfactory neuroepithelium with a higher number of apoptotic bodies in the mature neuronal layers. These results suggest that mRNA regulation by Hnrnpab is essential for the formation and/or functions of OSNs.

Free Research Field

分子生物学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

神経細胞におけるmRNAの局在制御は、軸索伸長やシナプス形成を担い、神経変性疾患にも関与するため、その機構の解明が望まれている。本研究では、RNA結合タンパク質 HnrnpabによるmRNAの制御が嗅神経細胞の形成もしくは維持に必要不可欠であることを明らかにした。本研究から得られた、Hnrnpabが結合するmRNA群の情報や、Hnrnpab欠損マウスの表現型解析結果は、mRNAの制御不全に起因する神経変性疾患の原因の解明にも貢献すると考えられる。