Role of long non-coding RNAs in exercise-induced muscle adaptation

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K19491
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 59020:Sports sciences-related
• Research Institution: Waseda University
• Principal Investigator: Oikawa Satoshi 早稲田大学, スポーツ科学学術院, その他(招聘研究員) (20844997)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 骨格筋 / 持久性運動 / ミトコンドリア / ノンコーディングRNA / lncRNA

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The purpose of this study was to clarify the function of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in skeletal muscle adaptation to endurance exercise. Based on our RNA-seq analysis using the gastrocnemius muscle following exercise training, we identified 16 exercise-inducible lncRNAs whose functions have not yet been determined. To address the function of these lncRNAs, we manipulated their expression and evaluated citrate synthase (CS) activity as a marker of mitochondrial volume in adult skeletal muscle. Knockdown of an lncRNA in the tibialis anterior muscle of PGC-1α Tg mice, which mimics the effects of skeletal muscle exercise, resulted in a significant decrease in CS activity. This suggests that this lncRNA could be a novel regulator of mitochondrial volume in skeletal muscles.

Free Research Field

スポーツ科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

長鎖ノンコーディングRNA（lncRNA）は新たな機能性RNA分子として注目されているが，その生理機能はほとんど明らかでない．またこれらのRNAはがんをはじめとするさまざまな疾患の治療標的となる可能性がある．本研究は，骨格筋の運動適応に関与する新たなlncRNAを同定し，その生理機能を明らかにすることで代謝性疾患の治療標的の開発へ繋がることが期待される．