Circuit Formation Control Mechanisms by Excitation-Morphogenesis Coupling in the Developing Nervous System

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19H01007
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (A)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Medium-sized Section 46:Neuroscience and related fields
• Research Institution: The University of Tokyo
• Principal Investigator: Bito Haruhiko 東京大学, 大学院医学系研究科(医学部), 教授 (00291964)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 脳・神経 / カルシウム / 脳発達

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We previously uncovered an L-type Ca2+ channel-dependent excitation-morphogenesis coupling mechanism SRCaT, which may contribute significantly to circuit formation during brain development. In this study, we attempt to elucidate some of the regulatory mechanisms mediated by SRCaT in the developing nervous system. We will 1) investigate the timing and conditions under which SRCaT occurs in the developing brain in vivo, 2) clarify the Ca2+ signal transduction pathway downstream of SRCaT, and 3) examine the mechanism potentially linking the disruption of SRCaT with the onset of autism-related animal phenotypes.

Free Research Field

神経生化学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

自閉スペクトラム症併発率70%のL型Ca2+チャンネル点変異によりSRCaTが破綻し、神経発達障害の一因とされる細胞移動異常が生じる。本研究は、このような表現型発見から逆に本研究により、自閉症関連動物表現型発症の本質的理解へ迫ろうとするものである。