Tissue homeostasis by fatty acid metabolic networks and disease mechanisms associated with their dysregulation

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20H00495
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (A)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Medium-sized Section 47:Pharmaceutical sciences and related fields
• Research Institution: Keio University
• Principal Investigator: Arita Makoto 慶應義塾大学, 薬学部(芝共立), 教授 (80292952)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 脂質 / リピドミクス / 生理活性 / 生体分子

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The balance of fatty acid metabolism in the body is important for maintaining health, and many of them are thought to function by being converted into bioactive metabolites. In this study, the construction of a state-of-the-art lipidomics system using mass spectrometry and bioinformatics, and the use of genetically engineered mice for various enzymes involved in unique fatty acid metabolisms, we studied the biological significance of fatty acid metabolic pathways and the disease mechanisms caused by their dysregulation. As a result, we were able to advance our understanding of the importance of fatty acid metabolisms in maintaining homeostasis at the molecular level. In addition, we succeeded in identifying several bioactive lipids involved in the regulation of inflammation, repair and the immune system.

Free Research Field

脂質生物学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

脂質は生体膜を構成し、エネルギー源としての役割に加え、シグナル分子やその前駆体など多彩な役割を担う生体分子である。よって生体内の脂質多様性やその局在、代謝ネットワークを捉えることは、その生物学的意義を理解する上で極めて重要である。また、脂質代謝異常が多くの疾患の背景因子であり、また多様な脂質分子の中には多くの生理活性物質が含まれていることから、生体内の脂質多様性やその局在、代謝ネットワークを捉えることは，新たな創薬シーズの発見や、早期診断・治療などの医学応用・社会貢献につながる可能性がある。