Functional analysis of KIF20B involved in microtubule dynamics and its application to novel treatment of breast cancer stem cells.

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K09044
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 55010:General surgery and pediatric surgery-related
• Research Institution: Yamaguchi University (2023); Osaka Butsuryo University (2019-2022)
• Principal Investigator: Ohnishi Takayuki 山口大学, 大学研究推進機構, 講師(特命) (30418959)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 水上 洋一 山口大学, 大学研究推進機構, 教授 (80274158)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 乳がん / シグナル伝達経路 / がん幹細胞

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, we focus on the KIF20B gene mutation, a kinesin protein that reduces the proliferation rate in cancer stem cells, and aim to identify the key factors in the cell division and proliferation of cancer stem cells.
Since the KIF20B gene mutation shows a phenotype of reduced proliferation rate and increased multinucleated cells, we hypothesized that this mutation is involved in the development and progression of cancer stem cells. MCF7 cells with KIF20B gene mutations were isolated using a cell sorter, RNA was extracted, and RNA-seq analysis was performed using a next-generation sequencer. Analysis of the RNA-seq results is currently underway. We are also working on creating knock-in mice expressing a mutant KIF20B gene using the i-GONAD method.

Free Research Field

分子生物学、生化学、腫瘍生物学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

がん幹細胞は抗がん剤に抵抗性があり、抗がん剤による根治が難しい。変異を持つKIF20Bタンパク質を発現するMCF7細胞を分離し、RNA-seqの解析を進めている。また、生体内での機能を明らかにするために、i-GONAD 法を用いたKIF20Bの変異型の遺伝子を発現するノックインマウスの作製を進めている。この解析が進めることにより、乳がん幹細胞に関する鍵となる遺伝子群の同定や乳がん幹細胞への新たな診断法や分子標的薬の研究開発への研究基盤を築くことができる。