Development of artificial manipulation methods for nuclear size

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K21278
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Research (Exploratory)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Medium-sized Section 38:Agricultural chemistry and related fields
• Research Institution: Hiroshima University
• Principal Investigator: Kume Kazunori 広島大学, 統合生命科学研究科(先), 准教授 (80452613)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-07-30 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 核サイズ / 分裂酵母 / 核と細胞質間の物質輸送 / 脂質代謝 / 膜輸送 / 分子遺伝学

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In eukaryotes, nuclear size is strictly regulated and the nucleus-to-cell volume ratio is maintained at a constant level. Since perturbed nuclear size is observed in cancer cells and senescent cells, elucidation of the nuclear size control mechanism is expected to lead to an understanding of cell canceration and senescence. In this study, using fission yeast as a model of eukaryotic cells, we aimed to establish a method for artificial manipulation of nuclear size. We focused on intracellular processes involved in nuclear size control and found a method to stably change nuclear size by fine-tuning and combining their activities. Phenotypic analysis of cells in which nuclear size was changed by using the method revealed that the change in nuclear size affects other organelle structures.

Free Research Field

細胞生物学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

核サイズ異常と細胞のがん化や老化の因果関係については不明であり、核サイズ制御の重要性についてはこれまでに詳細な解析がなされておらず、不明な点が多いのが現状であった。しかし本研究成果により、核サイズを段階的に変化させることで、細胞や核の機能についての詳細な解析が可能となる。核サイズを変化させるために修飾を加えた細胞内プロセスは、酵母からヒトまで高度に保存されたプロセスであることから、本技術は酵母のみならず普遍的なものとして利用可能である。