Investigation of membrane vesicle formation mechanisms in Corynebacterium glutamicum

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K15726
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 38020:Applied microbiology-related
• Research Institution: University of Tsukuba (2019, 2021-2022); The University of Tokyo (2020)
• Principal Investigator: Nagakubo Toshiki 筑波大学, 生命環境系, 助教 (20826961)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 膜小胞 / コリネ型細菌 / 鉄

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this research project, novel insights into the mechanisms of membrane vesicle (MV) formation in Corynebacterium glutamicum and the biological function of the C. glutamicum MVs were obtained. It was shown that C. glutamicum forms and releases various MVs through different routes. Further, we also found that the MVs derived from outer mycomembrane can load ferric iron and the iron ion loaded with MVs can be received by the cells. From these results, a role of C. glutamicum MVs in acquisition of external iron is suggested. Additionally, this may lead to a MV-based approach to control metabolic pathways of C. glutamicum which depends on the availability of external iron.

Free Research Field

応用微生物学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究課題を通じて得られた成果は、微生物が産生する膜小胞の形成メカニズムおよび生物学的機能に関する重要な知見を提供した。Corynebacterium glutamicumは、病原細菌である結核菌などを含むミコール酸含有細菌群に属しており、この菌群が産生する膜小胞の機能に注目が集まっている一方で、これまでその産生メカニズムは明らかになっていなかった。また、本研究成果ではCorynebacterium glutamicumが膜小胞を介して細胞外の鉄を獲得する可能性も示唆されており、これは産業上重要な本菌の生育や代謝を制御する上での新たなアプローチにつながる知見となりうる。