Integrated Molecular Mechanisms of Sleep/Wakefulness and Metabolic Regulation in a Novel Hypersomnia and Obese Mouse Model

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 18K06024
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 42040:Laboratory animal science-related
• Research Institution: University of Tsukuba
• Principal Investigator: Miyoshi Chika 筑波大学, 国際統合睡眠医科学研究機構, 助教 (60613437)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 船戸 弘正 筑波大学, 国際統合睡眠医科学研究機構, 客員教授 (90363118)
• Project Period (FY): 2018-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 過眠 / 肥満

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In sleepy mutant SIK3 mice, obesity is observed from young age with hypersomnia. In this study, to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the appearance and regulation of hypersomnia and obesity, we investigated the molecular network involved in their regulation by cell type-specific sleepy expression in a spatiotemporal manner.
In brain neuron-specific and peripheral tissue-specific cre mice, the hypersomnia phenotype of systemic type of sleepy mice was reproduced only by the expression of a type of cranial neuron-specific sleepy, while peripheral expression did not alter sleep duration or EEG spectrum components. The obesity phenotype was also not a peripheral function, suggesting that the hypersomnolence and obesity phenotypes in Sleepy mice are neuronal control of the brain.

Free Research Field

睡眠

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

睡眠は心身の健康を保ち、質の高い社会生活を送ることに不可欠である。不眠等の睡眠障害は、わが国でも広く認められており、うつ病などの気分障害、メタボリック症候群との関連も深い。睡眠覚醒行動の異常と摂食行動の障害とは密接に関係すると考えられるが、その分子機構は明らかではない。よいモデル動物が得られれば、睡眠覚醒行動や摂食行動など、異なる行動モダリティーを制御する統合的な研究が可能になると考えられた。