Functional analysis of MCTs responsible for energy source transport and search for therapeutic agents

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K07171
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 47060:Clinical pharmacy-related
• Research Institution: Hokkaido University
• Principal Investigator: Kobayashi Masaki 北海道大学, 薬学研究院, 教授 (70431319)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: モノカルボン酸輸送担体（MCT） / 乳酸

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Effects of nutritional intervention as a countermeasure for diseases such as diabetes and dementia have been expected, which indicates the importance of energy sources in human body. Human monocarboxylate transporters (hMCTs), which transport lactate and other energy sources, have been suggested to be associated with the above diseases. In this study, we aimed to clarify the function of hMCT2 and hMCT11 among hMCTs. The results of clinical studies on hMCT11 polymorphisms in patients with type 2 diabetes and studies using hMCT11 transiently expressing cells suggested that hMCT11 is associated with glucose metabolism. We also established a system that can evaluate hMCT2 function and found that hMCT2 is partially involved in lactate transport in neuron-derived cells.

Free Research Field

医療薬学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究により機能が未解明であったhMCT11が糖代謝に関わることを示唆したことから、今後hMCT11と糖尿病病態との関連性のさらなる解明に寄与するものと考える。またhMCT2については、機能評価系の確立ならびに細胞レベルでの寄与を示唆したことから、今後hMCT2をターゲットとした新規治療薬の創製につながることが期待される。