Molecular mechanisms underlying cellular responses to nutrient starvation in fission yeast

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K06649
• 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: National Institute for Fusion Science
• Principal Investigator: Otsubo Yoko 核融合科学研究所, ヘリカル研究部, 特任助教 (80580266)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 栄養応答 / TORキナーゼ / 有性生殖 / 分裂酵母

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study aims to clarify mechanisms underlying cellular responses to nutrients using a eukaryotic model organism, fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe. We have previously found that tRNA precursors regulate TOR kinase activity in response to nutrient availability. In this study, we isolated a novel candidate related to both tRNA and TOR. We also revealed the downstream mechanism of TOR kinase, by which meiotic transcripts were selectively recognized and degraded during mitotic growth. Furthermore, we demonstrated the TOR activity was affected by sulfur availability.

Free Research Field

細胞内シグナル伝達経路

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

栄養飢餓応答は、細胞にとって最も基本的なシステムの一つである。本研究成果により、真核生物に広く保存されたTORキナーゼの働きについてより深く理解が進むとともに、細胞の基本原理の解明に繋がっていくことが期待される。また、飢餓応答システムの変化や破綻が、老化の進行やガンや糖尿病等の発症に関わっていることから、本研究成果が、将来的には新しい診断法や治療法の開発等に応用されることも期待できる。