Decline in the histone level and organismal aging

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K16513
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 48040:Medical biochemistry-related
• Research Institution: The University of Tokyo
• Principal Investigator: Ohta Sho 東京大学, 医科学研究所, 助教 (70837541)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: ヒストン

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The number of senescent cells in tissues increases as an organism ages, and cellular senescence is associated with the functional decline during aging. However, the molecular mechanisms behind the increased senescent cells are largely unknown. In the current study, I have generated a genetically engineered mouse ES cell line in which the protein level of histones are downregulated in a drug inducible manner. In addition, I have generated mice using the ES cell line. Analyses of the mice are yet to be done, but they can be an experimental tool to investigate profound roles of the histone/nucleosome decline seen in the aging process.

Free Research Field

分子生物学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

遺伝子をコードするゲノムDNAはヒストン分子と複合体を形成し、細胞内に収納されている．ヒストン分子は、どの遺伝子を使うか、使わないか、という遺伝子発現制御における分子的基盤である．そのようなヒストン分子の低下を実験的に誘導できるシステムは、老化のみならず多様な生命現象におけるヒストンの生理的機能を明らかにすることのできるこれまでにない実験系と言える．