Molecular mechanism involved in the uptake of ostracod luciferase into luminous fish Parapriacanthus

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K22627
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: 0701:Biology at molecular to cellular levels, and related fields
• Research Institution: Nagoya University
• Principal Investigator: Bessho-Uehara Manabu (別所ー上原学) 名古屋大学, 高等研究院(理), 特任助教 (80880434)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-09-11 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: Bioluminescence / Kleptoprotein / Luciferase / Protein uptake / Parapriacanthus / Cypridina / Vargula / Molecular biology

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In order to reveal the mechanism of luciferase protein uptake in the golden sweeper, we aim to elucidate the molecular entities that interact with luciferase and contribute to its uptake. During the period, we examined the preparation of recombinant luciferase and administration experiments, and found that uptake requires a longer period of time than a few days.
Due to the outbreak of the new coronavirus infection, the research was intermittently interrupted and it was impossible to conduct the breeding experiments vigorously.Furthermore, the research grant was reduced from the direct cost of 3 million yen to 2.2 million yen without explanation, which made it difficult to purchase the luminescence measurement equipment necessary for the research.

Free Research Field

Biology

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

我々動物は植物など他の多細胞生物に比較して消化管を持つことで区別される。動物のドグマともいうべき消化システムは、摂食されたタンパク質を分解し、生育に不可欠のアミノ酸の獲得において全ての動物で保存された仕組みである。しかし、キンメモドキは、トガリウミホタルを捕食することにより、ルシフェラーゼタンパク質を消化分解せずに発光細胞に取り込む。この驚くべき例外がどのように実現されているかを理解するために、本研究では、餌由来タンパク質の取込みに関わる分子メカニズムはどのようなものなのか、という問いに答えようとするものである。