Elucidation of the pathogenesis of pregnancy-related complications by m6A-modification analysis of human placenta via TGFb-SMAD

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K18239
• 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: National Center for Child Health and Development
• Principal Investigator: Taniguchi Kosuke 国立研究開発法人国立成育医療研究センター, 周産期病態研究部, 研究員 (90808718)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: m6A / preeclampsia / placenta

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The expression of messenger RNA (mRNA), one of the blueprints of proteins that make up living organisms, is skillfully fine-tuned by undergoing many modifications. This study comprehensively analyzed placental cells' most essential post-transcriptional modification, m6A modification. As a result of examining various cells, when trophoblast stem cells were differentiated into extravillous cytotrophoblast (EVT) and syncytiotrophoblast (ST), there was no change in the amount of m6A in EVT. Still, there was a significant change in ST. The m6A-associated gene was also significantly altered. These findings suggest that m6A modification is essential in differentiating human placental cells.

Free Research Field

分子細胞生物学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

ヒト胎盤細胞の分化ではm6A修飾が重要であり、妊娠合併症では、異常分化状態の胎盤細胞が存在することも考えられることから、本研究による胎盤細胞でのm6A修飾のプロファイリングは、今後の疾患研究のリファレンスデータとなりうる。