Mechanism of intra-individual transduction via endogenous retroviruses

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20H03188
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 43010:Molecular biology-related
• Research Institution: National Institute of Genetics
• Principal Investigator: Miyoshi Keita 国立遺伝学研究所, 遺伝メカニズム研究系, 助教 (20423395)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: レトロトランスポゾン / 細胞外微粒子 / piRNA

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Transposable elements (TEs) in various genomes are both a driving force in the evolution of the genome and a threat to the stability of the genome. Therefore, the host appropriately regulates the expression of TEs. Interestingly, it has been reported that some ERV is overexpressed in follicle cells and transmitted to germ cells as extracellular particles in Drosophila mutants which does not have a regulatory mechanism for the expression of ERVs. Since some endogenous retrovirus expression is also observed in normal Drosophila ovaries, it is assumed that there is a mechanism for intercellular communication by ERVs through extracellular particles. This study aims to understand how ERV particles form, propagate, and have physiological significance.

Free Research Field

分子生物学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

近年では、エキソソームを代表とする細胞外小胞が分泌細胞由来の核酸やタンパク質を内包・伝播し、組織間や細胞間連携の役割を担うことが示されている。本研究対象であるERV粒子の形成・伝搬機構は、未知の細胞間輸送機構研究の発展につながると期待できる。また、ERV粒子は内因性であることから受け手側細胞における免疫回避が考えられ、ERV粒子の性質は外因性ウイルスとは異なると考えられる。その違いの解明は、「自己と非自己の認識」という生物学的に非常に重要な問いの解明になる。