Novel mechanism of blood glucose regulation based on inter-organ crosstalk mediated by liver-derived proteins.

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K07345
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 49010:Pathological biochemistry-related
• Research Institution: Waseda University
• Principal Investigator: GODA NOBUHITO 早稲田大学, 理工学術院, 教授 (00245549)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 肝臓 / 分泌因子 / 糖尿病

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Type 2 diabetes is prone to develop in Japanese even if they are mildly obese, partly because the compensatory mechanism for chronic hyperglycemia does not work sufficiently. In this study, we have succeeded in identifying the receptor of the liver-derived secreted factor, neuregulin 1, responsible for this compensatory mechanism, and demonstrated that loss of the ErbB receptor in the target organ aggravates type 2 diabetes. We also have elucidated one aspect of the cleavage and secretion mechanism of neuregulin 1 in the liver. These results indicate that neuregulin 1 and its receptor may be a new therapeutic target for type 2 diabetes.

Free Research Field

分子病態医化学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究成果は、生体内のエネルギー代謝制御における肝臓の内分泌器官としての新しい役割を明らかにしただけでなく、さまざまな組織由来の多様な生理活性を示す分泌タンパク質を介した臓器間相互作用を基盤とする代謝制御機構の理解を深める点においても、この分野を大きく発展させうるものと考える。また、本研究成果は、既存の薬物療法では未だ十分にコントロールできないヒト 2 型糖尿病に対し、ニューレグリン 1 とその受容体を標的とした新しい治療法への開発に繋がるものと期待している。