Retinoid signals to control spermatogonial stem cells differentiation

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K16027
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 42040:Laboratory animal science-related
• Research Institution: Nagoya City University
• Principal Investigator: Shawki Hossam 名古屋市立大学, 医薬学総合研究院(医学), 助教 (70829738)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 精子形成 / 腎足細胞 / 大Maf群転写因子 / タンパク尿

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Vitamin A is synthesized into retinoic acid (RA), an important regulator of various cell differentiations, including spermatogonia and podocytes. In this study, we identified MafB and cMaf as new targets for RA. RA has confirmed that it directly regulates MafB and c-Maf and induces their expression, especially in cultured Sertoli cells and podocytes. On the other hand, urinary protein levels increased in MafB and c-Maf double-deficient mice, and glomerular RNA-seq analysis showed that slit diaphragm-related proteins (Magi2) and podocyte-specific transcription factors (Tcf21) were down. Clarified the regulation.

Free Research Field

発生生物学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

レチノイン酸シグナルは、全身で多彩な役割を果たしており、その標的遺伝子を含むカスケードの全貌を明らかにすることは、脳神経疾患や各種悪性腫瘍の予防や治療に大きな貢献をすると期待される。本研究では、精子形成および腎臓足細胞におけるシグナルの下流遺伝子と生理的役割を同定しており、この分野における更なる発展が期待できる。