Analysis of the regulatory mechanism of epigenetic factors in retinal cell differentiation

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19H03420
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 48040:Medical biochemistry-related
• Research Institution: Nagahama Institute of Bio-Science and Technology
• Principal Investigator: Omori Yoshihiro 長浜バイオ大学, バイオサイエンス学部, 教授 (90469651)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 網膜 / 脊椎動物 / ゲノム進化

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Images that we observed using the eyes are first received and processed by neural circuits in the retina. There are more than 70 types of neurons and glia in the retinal neural circuit. In addition, retinal photoreceptor cells have well-developed synapses and cilia, which play an important role in the acquisition of visual information. Recently, a comprehensive analysis of epigenomic changes in the retina has revealed that the process of establishing retinal cell diversity is accompanied by changes in chromatin state, however the regulatory mechanisms have not been elucidated yet. We analyze the epigenetic control mechanisms in the retina using vertebrate models. We will elucidate the mechanisms important for the development and function of the central nervous system.

Free Research Field

基礎医学、発生生物学、ゲノム科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

変異体キンギョやゲノム編集による遺伝子改変ゼブラフィッシュや遺伝子改変マウスなどの脊椎動物モデルを用いて、網膜の細胞分化におけるエピジェネティック因子による制御機構の解析を行うことで、脊椎動物における網膜の発生と維持の分子メカニズムの解明に繋げることができる。これらの研究から得られた脊椎動物の網膜における生物学的な知見により発生や進化などの基礎生物学的な理解の蓄積に繋がる。これらの基礎生物学的な知識は、基礎医学の分野でも重要であり、眼科領域疾患の治療法や診断法の確立に貢献することが期待される。