Identification of novel bovine paternally expressed imprinted genes

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K06368
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 42010:Animal production science-related
• Research Institution: Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology
• Principal Investigator: Kaneda Masahiro 東京農工大学, (連合)農学研究科(研究院), 准教授 (80469840)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: DNAメチル化 / ウシ / 単為発生胚 / インプリント遺伝子 / XIST遺伝子 / X染色体不活化

Outline of Final Research Achievements

To identify new paternally expressed genes in bovine, we analyzed gene expression in fibroblasts established from bovine parthenogenic embryos and in fibroblasts established from normal embryos (males) using DNA microarrays. Expression analysis and DNA methylation analysis of candidate genes obtained from the results were conducted.
In addition, to clarify the regulatory mechanism of the XIST gene (non-coding RNA involved in X chromosome inactivation) by DNA methylation changes, whose expression has not been clarified in bovine, I found that the expression of the XIST gene was induced in male bovine somatic cells by DNA methylation inhibition. I found that DNA methylation inhibition induced the expression of XIST gene in bovine male somatic cells.

Free Research Field

エピジェネティクス

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

これまでインプリント遺伝子やXIST遺伝子の研究は、もっぱらマウスを用いて行われてきた。多くの成果が得られたものの、ヒトや家畜などの研究からは、これらの遺伝子発現やその制御機構については、多くの動物種差が存在することが分かってきた。今回のウシを用いた研究からは、マウスと同様な遺伝子発現制御機構（DNAメチル化）とともに、それ以外の遺伝子発現制御機構が関与していることが示唆されたことから、進化的側面から非常に興味深い知見が得られた。