Role of MARCKS protein on developmental neurotoxicity of toxic metals

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K06404
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 42020:Veterinary medical science-related
• Research Institution: Kagoshima University
• Principal Investigator: Shiraishi Mitsuya 鹿児島大学, 農水産獣医学域獣医学系, 教授 (20383656)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 重金属 / 培養神経細胞 / MARCKS / 分化誘導

Outline of Final Research Achievements

MARCKS is an essential protein for the development of the central nervous system, and has been reported to be involved in the toxic mechanisms of methylmercury. In this study, we analyzed the involvement of MARCKS in the toxic mechanisms of various heavy metals on differentiated cultured neuronal cells. We showed that changes in MARCKS expression level and phosphorylation state may be important for the mechanism of heavy metal toxicity. Furthermore, it was clarified that MARCKS is widely involved in the toxicity caused by heavy metals other than methylmercury.

Free Research Field

基礎獣医学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

有害金属による健康被害は近年においても国際的な懸念事項である。本研究で、分化誘導した培養神経細胞においてMARCKSがその毒性に広く関与することを明らかにした意義は高い。また本研究で提示された培養神経細胞の分化誘導法およびMARCKSの機能解析手法は、重金属毒性を含む神経学的研究の発展において非常に有用であることを示した。