Autophagy Regulation Mechanism by Parkinson's Disease Causal Gene Product VPS13C

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K07910
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 52020:Neurology-related
• Research Institution: Juntendo University
• Principal Investigator: Shiba Kahori 順天堂大学, 大学院医学研究科, 准教授 (30468582)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: VPS13C / パーキンソン病 / オートファジー

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The aim of this study was to analyze the physiological function of VPS13 in Drosophila by knocking out the ortholog of VPS13C, the causative gene product of Parkinson's disease. Electrophysiological and morphological analyses revealed that VPS13 plays an important role in neural function. Vps13 is also important in age-dependent dopaminergic neuron viability and mitochondrial morphology, suggesting that Vps13 is also involved in the antioxidant stress response. Furthermore, VPS13 was shown to function in the late steps of autophagy. The results of this study are expected to contribute to our understanding of the mechanisms of Parkinson's disease pathogenesis related to VPS13C.

Free Research Field

神経学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究の学術的な意義は、VPS13が神経機能において重要な役割を果たすことを生体レベルで明らかにした点にある。また、パーキンソン病のモデル生物としての有用性を確認したことから、今後、遺伝学的相互作用の検討、またVPS13の新たな生理機能やシグナル経路の発見が期待され、将来的な治療法や創薬の開発につながる可能性がある。