Development and characterization of small molecules for analysis of circadian rhythm amplitude

2019 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 18K19171
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Research (Exploratory)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Medium-sized Section 38:Agricultural chemistry and related fields
• Research Institution: Nagoya University
• Principal Investigator: Hirota Tsuyoshi 名古屋大学, トランスフォーマティブ生命分子研究所, 特任准教授 (50372412)
• Project Period (FY): 2018-06-29 – 2020-03-31
• Keywords: 概日時計 / ケミカルバイオロジー / 化合物 / 振幅

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Amplitude of the circadian rhythm is reduced by metabolic disease and aging. While circadian amplitude plays an important role in the regulation of physiological outputs, its molecular mechanism is poorly understood. In this study, we tried to approach the molecular mechanism of circadian amplitude regulation by applying chemical biology methods. From chemical screening, we identified new compounds that increase rhythm amplitude and analyzed its mechanism of action. Further study will facilitate the understanding of amplitude regulation.

Free Research Field

時間生物学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究により、振幅を増加させる新規化合物を発見した。このようなユニークな化合物が起点となり、将来的には概日リズム疾患の治療への応用に繋がる可能性が期待される。さらに、ケージドlongdaysinを開発して光を用いて概日リズム周期を誘導的かつ精密に調節することを世界で初めて実現し、chronophotopharmacologyという新領域を切り拓いた。