Effects of Food and Nutrition on Brain Function:

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K11637
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 59040:Nutrition science and health science-related
• Research Institution: Setsunan University
• Principal Investigator: Takeshi Yabe 摂南大学, 薬学部, 教授 (40239835)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 荒木 良太 摂南大学, 薬学部, 講師 (90710682)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 葉酸

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, we examined the effects of low folate on expression and epigenetic modification of genes involved in neuronal differentiation and maturation in primary mouse neural stem/progenitor cells (NSPCs) in vitro. An increase in Nestin-positive cells was observed in cells differentiated in a low folate medium for 3 days. An increase in Tuj-1-positive cells and a decrease in MAP2-positive cells were observed in cells differentiated in a low folate medium for 7 days. In these cells, mRNA levels for genes involved in neuronal differentiation and maturation were altered. Hypomethylation of DNA, but not of histone proteins, was also observed at some promoters of these neuronal genes. The level of S-adenosylmethionine (SAM), a methyl donor, was decreased in these cells. The abnormalities in neural maturation and changes in gene expression in culture under low folate conditions were partially normalized by addition of SAM.

Free Research Field

神経科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究において、葉酸欠乏による新生ニューロンの成熟異常にエピゲノム修飾の異常、特にDNAの低メチル化に起因する神経分化・成熟関連遺伝子群の発現変動が関与する可能性を見出した。本研究成果は、うつ病態における葉酸の重要性を示すものであり、適切な量を摂取することの重要性を啓蒙することにより、うつ病の予防や治療に貢献できることが期待される。