Elucidating gene function by awakening microbial activity

2019 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 17K19234
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Research (Exploratory)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Agricultural chemistry and related fields
• Research Institution: Kyoto University
• Principal Investigator: Atomi Haruyuki 京都大学, 工学研究科, 教授 (90243047)
• Project Period (FY): 2017-06-30 – 2019-03-31
• Keywords: 微生物 / アーキア / ゲノム / 機能未知遺伝子 / 培養条件 / 遺伝子の活性化

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In order to elucidate the function of hypothetical proteins/genes on the genome of Thermococcus kodakarensis, we made dramatic changes to the growth medium. When we compared the individual RNA levels between cells grown with microbial cells or with the conventional medium containing yeast extract and tryptone, we found that the transcript levels of a large number of transporters with unknown function increased in the former medium. These transporters may not be necessary in conventional media, and may be involved in the transport of various organic compounds in the latter medium.

Free Research Field

応用生物化学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

一次構造からその機能が推定できない機能未知遺伝子はゲノム情報の半分以上を占め、それらの機能解明は生命科学における最重要研究課題の1つである。本研究ではアーキアを対象とし、従来の培養条件と大きく異なる条件で培養を行うことにより、従来培地で転写産物量の低い機能未知遺伝子の転写産物量を大きく上昇させることができ、それらの機能を解析するための手がかりをつかんだ。