MicroRNA Regulation of Prickle2 Expression

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K16232
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 49030:Experimental pathology-related
• Research Institution: University of the Ryukyus (2021-2022); 医療法人徳洲会野崎徳洲会病院(附属研究所) (2020)
• Principal Investigator: Higuchi Yuki 琉球大学, 医学(系)研究科(研究院), ポスドク研究員 (20852982)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 神経新生 / うつ / 自閉症 / マイクロRNA / 神経新生 / Prickle2

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Aiming to elucidate the mechanism underlying neuropsychological disorders, such as autism and depression, we analyzed several disease-related factors in neurons using molecular biology techniques. First, we identified three microRNA species as mediators of Prickle2, a protein related to autism. In addition, we found that several microRNA species play a role in neurogenesis, a process by which new neurons are produced in the brain. As disruption of neurogenesis in the mature brain is closely related to diseases, including depression and Alzheimer’s disease, our results suggest that these microRNAs are involved in the mechanisms of these diseases.

Free Research Field

神経科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

神経新生は哺乳類の脳内で成熟後も続く神経前駆細胞の増殖・分化・ 成熟とそれによる中枢神経系の維持・再構築のための内因性機構であり、その破綻は自閉症・うつ病・統合失調症等の精神疾患、アルツハイマー病等の加齢性疾患と密接に関係している。本研究はその機構の一端をマイクロRNAという小さなRNA分子が担っていることを示唆するものであり、その成果は神経新生の破綻が関与する精神神経疾患の基盤メカニズムの解明や治療・症状緩和法の開発に繋がり得るものである。