Molecular mechanisms of the superior protective activities of intrinsically disordered proteins in cryo-preservable plant seeds

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 18H02222
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 39060:Conservation of biological resources-related
• Research Institution: Shizuoka University
• Principal Investigator: Hara Masakazu 静岡大学, 創造科学技術大学院, 教授 (10293614)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 今井 亮三 国立研究開発法人農業・食品産業技術総合研究機構, 生物機能利用研究部門, エグゼクティブリサーチャー (90291913)
• Project Period (FY): 2018-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 超低温保存 / タンパク質保護 / 天然変性タンパク質 / デハイドリン

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We elucidated the mechanism of cryoprotective activity of dehydrin, an intrinsically disordered protein which is related to the preservation of plant seeds. We also purified another intrinsically disordered protein RVCaB from radish, found the cryoprotective activity, and identified the active segment. As a result, we found a common action mechanism between dehydrin and RVCaB, and proposed a new cryoprotective model which can complement the conventional protective models. It is suggested that there are diverse species of intrinsically disordered proteins in plants which can play an important role in their growth.

Free Research Field

植物機能生理学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

天然変性タンパク質は生物界に広く存在するが、その機能と生理学的な意義については多くの場合不明である。本研究は、植物天然変性タンパク質の超低温保護機能に着目し、そのメカニズムを解明した点で学術的な意義がある。植物由来の天然変性タンパク質は未利用素材であり、細胞や臓器の保存、冷凍並びに乾燥食品の製造、遺伝資源の保存など、様々な場面での応用が期待できる。