Mechanism of RNA transport and localization in neural stem cells during corticogenesis

2019 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 18K14999
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 48010:Anatomy-related
• Research Institution: Tohoku University
• Principal Investigator: Kikkawa Takako 東北大学, 医学系研究科, 助教 (90727851)
• Project Period (FY): 2018-04-01 – 2020-03-31
• Keywords: mRNA輸送 / 神経幹細胞 / 細胞周期

Outline of Final Research Achievements

During corticogenesis, neural stem/progenitor cells need to adequately proliferate and differentiate to various types of neurons. Neural stem/progenitor cells in the developing cortex are called radial glial (RG) cells, as they possess highly polarized morphology with long apical/basal processes. We have previously shown in the mouse that mRNAs of CyclinD2, coding a cell cycle regulator, are transported to the basal end-foot of the RG cell. We found that the thickness of the cortex was decreased in the CyclinD2 mRNA transport element-deleted mutant mice that CyclinD2 mRNA no longer localized in the basal end-feet of RG cells, yet remained around the RG cell soma. These results suggest that CyclinD2 mRNA transport in RG cells is important to make the cortex during embryogenesis.

Free Research Field

神経発生学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

発生や細胞分化の過程では、細胞内において様々なタンパク質が時空間的に不均等に局在することにより、細胞の運命決定や特異的な機能発現に重要な役割を果たしている。神経系でこれまでに注目されていたのは、主に分化した神経細胞内のmRNA輸送・局在制御機構であった。このような研究動向の中で、本研究では、独自に見出したCyclinD2 mRNA輸送機構を起点として、これまでに考慮されてこなかった神経幹細胞内のmRNA細胞内局在制御による機能発現についてアプローチできた点で大きな意義がある。