Spatiotemporal control of mRNA translation in olfactory sensory neurons

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K07363
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 48040:Medical biochemistry-related
• Research Institution: Niigata University
• Principal Investigator: Fukuda Nanaho 新潟大学, 脳研究所, 講師 (00415283)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: RNA結合タンパク質 / 転写後制御 / mRNA局所翻訳

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Most mRNAs are translated at perinuclear sites in soma, and the synthesized proteins are transported to subcellular regions to function. In contrast, certain mRNAs are transported and localized in subcellular domains in a translationally-repressed form, and then locally translated into proteins on the site. Such post-transcriptional control "local mRNA translation" is important for the formation and function of highly polar cells such as neurons.
In this study, we showed that an RNA-binding protein Hnrnpab is highly expressed in immature olfactory sensory neurons and binds to a group of mRNAs that are related to axon projection. In Hnrnpab KO mice, the expression of the target genes are impaired in the glomerulus, resulting in a reduction of mature olfactory neurons and an abnormal axon projection.

Free Research Field

分子生物学, 神経科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

mRNA局所翻訳は神経細胞の形成や機能に必要不可欠であることが認識されつつあるが、その制御を担う因子の同定や機能解析はまだあまり進んでいない。
本研究により、嗅神経細胞で軸索投射に関わるmRNA群に結合するRNA結合タンパク質が初めて同定され、嗅神経回路形成におけるmRNA制御の重要性が示された。昨年、神経発達症にHnrnpab遺伝子の変異が報告された。従って、本研究成果は他の神経細胞におけるmRNA制御機構や、神経発達症の理解にも貢献すると考えられる。