The analysis of autophagy-mediated translation regulation

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K15712
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 43010:Molecular biology-related
• Research Institution: The University of Tokyo (2023); Tokyo Institute of Technology (2020-2021)
• Principal Investigator: Makino Shiho 東京大学, 定量生命科学研究所, 助教 (70791458)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: オートファジー / RNA分解

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this project, we aimed to elucidate the recognition mechanisms and biological significance of RNAs that are preferentially degraded by autophagy. Through analysis using Saccharomyces cerevisiae, we successfully identified the factor involved in the selective degradation of certain RNAs. To further understand the role of selective RNA degradation in embryogenesis, we extended the experimental system from Saccharomyces cerevisiae to Drosophila embryos. We revealed that the RNA degradation activity of RNaseX25, a homolog of yeast vacuolar ribonuclease Rny1, is required for early embryonic development. Additionally, In vitro RNase assay suggested that RNaseX25 catalyzes RNA degradation specifically in lysosome, an acidic organelle, in Drosophila.

Free Research Field

分子生物学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

出芽酵母を用いた実験系をショウジョウバエ初期胚に発展させ、オートファジーによるRNA分解の特徴や生理機能を解析する準備が整った。今後ショウジョウバエ初期胚を用いた解析が進展することにより、動物の初期胚発生過程におけるオートファジーを介したRNA分解の機能的役割が明らかになることが期待される。