Unraveling and exploitation of novel metabolic system regulated by a metabolite sensor

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K08855
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 54040:Metabolism and endocrinology-related
• Research Institution: University of Tsukuba
• Principal Investigator: Sekiya Motohiro 筑波大学, 医学医療系, 准教授 (50420245)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 代謝産物センサー / 肥満 / メタボリックシンドローム

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We have investigated the metabolic systems regulated by a metabolite sensor that we identified recently. While we unraveled the roles of the metabolite sensor in multiple tissues, we were able to publish a paper regarding the liver biology, and several papers are now in revision. In addition, more findings are almost ready to be submitted. Those findings significantly accelerate our understanding the molecular basis of obesity.
Apart from this, we also identified a novel role of this molecule, that offers translational opportunites as well and paves the way to provide multidisciplinary angles. This aspect of our reserach could be a groundbreaking discovery in multiple fields.

Free Research Field

代謝学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究は従来になかった新しい代謝疾患の病態の考え方をもたらし、かつ治療応用性といった医療応用性につながるものであり、社会実装の可能性が高い。また同時に見出した新しい分子基盤もやはり社会実装性が高い。これらはこの数年の間といったごく近未来に臨床応用が期待される。代謝は狭義の代謝疾患にとどまらず、幅広い生物学の基盤となっているため、領域横断的な理解、医療応用に発展する可能性が高い。