Dynamic control of centromere and telomere function by the SUMO modification system

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20H02952
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 38060:Applied molecular and cellular biology-related
• Research Institution: Kwansei Gakuin University
• Principal Investigator: Tanaka Katsunori 関西学院大学, 生命環境学部, 教授 (60273926)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 白川 昌宏 京都大学, 工学研究科, 教授 (00202119)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: タンパク質翻訳後修飾 / SUMO / セントロメア / テロメア / 染色体機能 / 分裂酵母

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In cell division, stable maintenance and accurate distribution of chromosomes are critical for stable inheritance of the genome. The centromere and telomere regions on eukaryotic chromosomes play a crucial role in the stable maintenance and distribution of chromosomes.
In this study, using fission yeast as a model system, we revealed one aspect of the molecular mechanism by which post-translational modifications by SUMO regulate the function of centromere and telomere regions. Furthermore, we found that SUMO modifications are required for the growth of circular chromosome cells, which are closely related to the disease. Research on centromeres and telomeres has been greatly expanding not only in the basic field but also in the field of clinical application. We expect that the results of this research will establish an important foundation that will contribute to applied fields in the future.

Free Research Field

分子生物学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

セントロメアおよびテロメア機能はがんとも密接に関わっており、セントロメアおよびテロメア研究は基礎分野のみならず臨床応用分野にも大きな展開を見せている。今回、分裂酵母をモデル系に用い、SUMOによる翻訳後修飾が、セントロメアおよびテロメア領域の機能を制御する分子機構の一端を明らかにした。本研究成果は、将来的には応用分野にも資する重要な基盤を構築するものと期待する。