Super-resolution imaging analysis of the novel actin structure found on the centrosome during ciliogenesis.

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K06644
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 44010:Cell biology-related
• Research Institution: Osaka City University
• Principal Investigator: Chiba Shuhei 大阪市立大学, 大学院医学研究科, 講師 (60572493)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 一次繊毛 / 繊毛病 / 繊毛小胞 / 膨張顕微鏡 / 超解像イメージング / サブオルガネラスケール / アクチン細胞骨格 / トランジションゾーン

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Expansion microscopy (ExM) is a novel superresolution (SR) technique that uses a swellable hydrogel that enables the physical expansion of specimens. In this study, we applied ExM to observe ciliary and centriolar proteins and compared the acquired images with those obtained using structured illumination microscopy. We also established multi-color SR imaging with the outstanding optical resolution achieved by the combinatorial use of ExM and airyscan microscopy. Using this imaging technique, we analyzed a novel actin skeleton found in the vicinity of the centrosome and examined its role in ciliogenesis. Although we could not find the molecular systems that control the centriolar actin structures, ExM-Airyscan made it possible to analyze the spatial arrangement of cilia-associated molecules during ciliogenesis.

Free Research Field

細胞生物学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

繊毛は機械的・化学的刺激などの細胞外環境を受容するアンテナとして働く。その構造や機能の異常は発生期の形態異常、嚢胞性腎疾患、網膜変性を複合的に呈する遺伝性疾患 (繊毛症)の発症と密接に関連しており、繊毛構築を制御するシグナル経路の解明は医学的に早急な解決が望まれる研究命題である。本研究で焦点を当てる中心体近傍のアクチン構造は現時点で繊毛機能に与える影響は不明であるが、未知のアクチン構造の働きの理解により一次繊毛にとどまらず、紡錘体構築や細胞移動時の極性形成、免疫シナプス形成など、中心体とアクチンの相互作用が鍵を握ると想定される細胞活動での中心体制御機構の理解に繋がる可能性も考えられる。