Elucidation of Amino Acid Ecosystem in Skeletal Muscle Cells

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K19478
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 59020:Sports sciences-related
• Research Institution: Kokushikan University (2023); The University of Electro-Communications (2022); Tohoku University (2020-2021)
• Principal Investigator: Osana Shion 国士舘大学, 体育学部, 講師 (60868131)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 骨格筋 / プロテアソーム / アミノ酸 / サルコペニア

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, we aimed to clarify how amino acids, which are the products of proteolysis by the ubiquitin-proteasome system, are reused in muscle cells. The results suggested that, contrary to our hypothesis, the degradation-derived amino acids are not reused as a resource for the synthesis of new proteins, but may be used as an energy source. This finding led to the discovery of new physiological phenomena, such as the possibility of the usage of proteolytic degradation products and the possibility of molecular control mechanisms by peptidases.

Free Research Field

分子細胞生物学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

超高齢社会を迎えている日本において加齢に伴う筋萎縮サルコペニア患者の増加が大きな健康課題となっている. 筋萎縮・筋量低下は日常の運動量の低下をもたらし, さらにはQOLやADLの低下を加速させていくことから解決すべき喫緊の健康課題であると考えられる. 本研究の筋細胞における新たなタンパク質代謝機構の解明という成果は, サルコペニア予防に向けた栄養学指導や運動指導法に対して新たなエビデンスを提供するとともに, タンパク質分解の制御分子を標的とした新しい筋萎縮治療法の確立に向けて貢献できると考えている.