Analysis of pluripotency maintenance mechanism through regulation of ribosomal RNA transcription by SOX2.

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K06489
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 43010:Molecular biology-related
• Research Institution: Nagasaki University
• Principal Investigator: NAKAGAWA TAKEYA 長崎大学, 医歯薬学総合研究科(医学系), 助教 (50363502)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 細胞分化制御 / リボソームRNA / 遺伝子転写制御 / SOX2

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In embryonic stem cells, regulation of ribosomal RNA transcriptional is important in the regulation of cell differentiation. Our novel protein complex containing SOX2 binds to the regulatory region of ribosomal RNA transcription, suggesting its involvement in ribosomal RNA transcriptional regulation. We have shown that artificially decreased expression of SOX2 and TBP, components of our novel complex, results in decreased transcription of ribosomal RNA in vivo. We also found that SOX2 and TBP must cooperate with each other in order to bind to the transcriptional regulatory region. These results provide a model in which the complex causes a genomic DNA higher-order conformational change in the transcriptional regulatory region and promotes ribosomal RNA transcription.

Free Research Field

生化学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

細胞分化をコントロールすることによって人工的に組織や臓器を製造し、再生医療に利用することが期待されている。胚性幹細胞はあらゆる細胞に分化することが可能である多能性を有しており、この多能性維持メカニズムの理解は細胞分化の人工的制御にとって重要である。SOX2は胚性幹細胞の多能性維持に重要な転写因子である。本研究課題ではこのSOX2が担う多能性維持機構の理解を進展させることが出来た。