Elucidation of the molecular basis of fetal differentiation memory retention in testicular Leydig cells

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K07378
• 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: Kurume University (2021); Kawasaki Medical School (2019-2020)
• Principal Investigator: Shima Yuichi 久留米大学, 医学部, 教授 (80425420)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 精巣 / ライディッヒ細胞 / 分化記憶 / 脱分化 / DNAメチル化

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In mammals, including humans, Leydig cells appear in the testis during the fetal period and promote masculinization of the fetus through the production of androgens. Fetal Leydig cells once revert to an undifferentiated state at around birth, and then differentiate into Leydig cells again at puberty, producing large amounts of androgen, and male reproductive function matures. Since Leydig cells in the fetal period are considered to retain the memory of differentiation as Leydig cells even when they return to the undifferentiated state, we tried to clarify how is the memory of differentiation retained in Leydig cells.

Free Research Field

生殖内分泌学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

精巣ライディッヒ細胞の機能不全は、男性不妊症を引き起こすのみならず、更年期男性における男性ホルモンの低下（LOH症候群、性機能の低下に加え、意欲の低下やうつ症状も引き起こす）の原因ともなることから、男性の生活の質を低下させる原因となり得る。本研究の成果は、胎児期の環境（母体の喫煙や飲酒、環境物質への暴露など）が、どのような機構で、成熟男性の男性ホルモン低下を引き起こすのかを明らかにする手がかりとなる可能性がある。