Identification of cellulose ether susceptibility genes involved in suppression of prion disease development

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19H03570
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 52020:Neurology-related
• Research Institution: Tohoku University
• Principal Investigator: Doh-ura Katsumi 東北大学, 医学系研究科, 教授 (00263012)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 遺伝子解析 / プロテオミクス解析 / プリオン / 防御機構 / セルロース誘導体 / 感受性 / gmfb / ゲノムマーカー

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In our bodies, it is thought that prion proliferation is controlled under the influence of some external factors, but the mechanism is unknown. The applicant has found that a cellulose derivative (CE), which is ingested daily as a food additive, exhibits excellent suppressive effect against prion disease for a long period of time. The CE effectiveness is clearly dependent on mouse strains. In the current study, genomic and proteomic analyses were performed between different CE-susceptible mice to search for host factors that affect CE-susceptibility. As a result, we finally identified polymorphisms in the gmfb gene and neighboring genes as genomic markers of CE-susceptibility. These findings are expected to lead to the elucidation of defense mechanisms against prions and the overcoming of prion diseases.

Free Research Field

神経化学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

特発性プリオン病に罹患するのはごく少数の人だけであり、また同様にプリオンに曝露されても発病しない人たちがいることがわかっており、私たちの体内には何らかの外的要因等を受けプリオンの増殖を抑制する防御機構が備わっている。CE感受性はまさにそういった防御機構の一部となっている可能性があり、CE感受性と密接に結び付くゲノムマーカーを明らかにした本研究成果は、プリオンに対する防御機構の解明やプリオン病の克服に繋がる知見である。