Investigation of molecular pathways linking aberrant glucose metabolism and mitotic process in colorectal cancer and its application to development of cancer therapy

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19H03727
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 55020:Digestive surgery-related
• Research Institution: Kanazawa University
• Principal Investigator: Minamoto Toshinari 金沢大学, がん進展制御研究所, 教授 (50239323)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 宮下 知治 金沢医科大学, 医学部, 准教授 (30397210) ; WONG W・R 金沢大学, ナノ生命科学研究所, 教授 (30464035)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 大腸がん / 糖代謝改変 / 細胞核分裂

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Aberrant glycolysis (metabolic reprograming) and unlimited cellular mitosis are the major malignant phenotypes that promote cancer proliferation. We previously identified glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)3β as a distinct tumor-promoting enzyme. This study found the biological mechanisms by which GSK3β participates in both malignant phenotypes in colorectal cancer (CRC). These results clarified that GSK3β facilitates CRC progression via interconnecting the metabolic reprograming and cellular mitosis.

Free Research Field

腫瘍外科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

これまでは、がんの代謝改変と細胞分裂は別々の悪性形質として研究されてきた。本研究は、大腸がんでGSK3βが両者の悪性形質を結びつけて増殖を促進することを解明した。このようなGSK3βを指標とする大腸がん増殖のしくみは、本酵素を標的とするがん治療法開発の基盤を強化する。