Mechanism of tissue elasticity development

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19H03439
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 49010:Pathological biochemistry-related
• Research Institution: Kansai Medical University
• Principal Investigator: NAKAMURA Tomoyuki 関西医科大学, 医学部, 教授 (20362527)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 細胞外マトリックス

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Elastic fibers, an extracellular matrix, are responsible for the elasticity of our tissues. Degradation and deterioration of elastic fibers are the direct cause of aging-related diseases such as emphysema and arterial sclerosis, as well as sagging skin. In this study, we focused on the function of Fibulin-4, which is considered to be one of the most important elastogenic proteins based on the phenotypes of KO mice, and found that Fibulin-4 is essential for the activity of the elastin cross-linking enzyme LOX. We also revealed the molecular mechanism of LOX activation by Fibulin-4.

Free Research Field

細胞外マトリックス

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

LOXはエラスチンのみならずコラーゲンの架橋も行う酵素であり、細胞外マトリックス形成の鍵となる分子である。これまで報告の無いメカニズムによってLOXが活性化されることが明らかとなり、細胞外マトリックスの強さや伸縮性の調節機構について新たな考え方を提示するものとなった。