Analysis of the importance and mechanisms of the nuclear positioning in mature neurons

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K22476
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Research (Exploratory)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Medium-sized Section 46:Neuroscience and related fields
• Research Institution: Shimane University
• Principal Investigator: Kuwako Ken-ichiro 島根大学, 学術研究院医学・看護学系, 准教授 (30468475)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-06-28 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 神経突起 / 核

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The nuclear membrane LINC complex is known as important molecules regulating nuclear positioning. To clarify the unknown functions of the LINC complex, in this study, we performed functional inhibition experiments in cultured neurons and mouse brains. We found that the LINC complex was essential for the formation and maintenance of the axon initial segment, that is the site of action potential generation, in developing and mature neurons. This study suggests the existence of a new regulatory system of neuronal activity via the nucleus.

Free Research Field

神経科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

これまで核を起点とした神経突起や神経活動の制御システムはほとんど知られておらず、またLINC複合体はほぼ全ての神経細胞で発現していることから、本研究は多様な脳神経機能の基盤をなす重要かつ普遍的な機構の存在を明らかにしたと考えられる。今後、本研究で発見した機構が脳の発生や疾患、老化などの幅広い現象に関与する可能性を明らかにしていくことで脳機能の基本作動原理の理解が深まると期待される。