Significance of phospholipid variants in cancer development.

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21H02680
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 48040:Medical biochemistry-related
• Research Institution: Tokyo Medical and Dental University
• Principal Investigator: Sasaki Junko 東京医科歯科大学, 難治疾患研究所, 教授(キャリアアップ) (30333371)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: イノシトールリン脂質 / がん

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Phosphoinositides (PIPs), which are intracellular signaling lipids, have a structure consisting of a glycerol backbone with two acyl chains and an inositol ring. PIPs are classified into seven classes based on the phosphorylation state of the inositol ring, and each class has been shown to possess unique functions. However, the specific functions of PIP molecular species determined by differences in acyl chain composition have not been elucidated.
We have developed a novel method for analyzing the functions of PIP molecular species with different acyl chain compositions and identified 75 proteins that bind to PIP molecular species associated with cancer. Additionally, we have discovered cell lines with distinctive acyl chain compositions and found that altering the acyl chain composition of PIPs by adding fatty acids affects cell proliferation.

Free Research Field

脂質細胞生物学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

これまで不明であったアシル基組成の違いによるPIPs分子種固有の生理機能を示したことは、学術的意義のある成果である。また、特定のアシル基をもつPIPsが、がんの悪性度を示すマーカーとなる可能性を示したことは、社会的医学的意義のある成果である。