Integrated Analysis of Transcriptome and Histone Modifications in Granulosa Cells During Ovulation in Female Mice

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K18191
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 56040:Obstetrics and gynecology-related
• Research Institution: Yamaguchi University
• Principal Investigator: SHIRAFUTA YUICHIRO 山口大学, 医学部附属病院, 助教 (00845050)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 卵巣 / 黄体化 / epigenetics

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Genome-wide gene expression analysis using RNA sequencing revealed that the expression of about 6000 genes changes within 12 hours after the LH surge in mouse granulosa cells. Furthermore, ChIP sequencing revealed that genome-wide changes of the histone modification H3K4me3 are induced. Genes with H3K4me3 changes have greater expression changes than genes without H3K4me3 changes. These H3K4me3-regulated genes are involved in various cellular functional changes and may contribute to the luteinization of granulosa cells.

Free Research Field

生殖内分泌学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究により、LHサージ後に起こるゲノムワイドな遺伝子発現とヒストン修飾変化が、顆粒膜細胞の黄体化に寄与することがわかった。黄体化は妊娠の維持に必須の事象である。本研究により黄体化の調節機構のひとつが明らかになり、不妊症の一因である黄体機能不全の治療にも繋がるため、社会的意義のある研究である。