Nobel RNA modification in bacteria and its pathophysiological significance

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21H02731
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 49050:Bacteriology-related
• Research Institution: Kumamoto University
• Principal Investigator: Tomizawa Kazuhito 熊本大学, 大学院生命科学研究部(医), 教授 (40274287)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: RNA修飾 / 細菌感染 / 修飾ヌクレオシド

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of modified nucleosides that specifically increase in urine or serum during bacterial infection. One type of bacteria-specific modified nucleoside, m2A, was detected in all species of 15 gram-negative pathogens and 8 gram-positive pathogens. When comparing the amounts of m2A between gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria, the levels of m2A in the medium were higher in gram-negative bacteria. We also compared and examined the levels of m2A in the urine of bacterial infection patients, viral infection patients, and healthy individuals. The m2A levels in the urine of bacterial infection patients were significantly higher compared to healthy individuals and viral infection patients. These results suggest that m2A is useful as a marker for diagnosing the presence of infection.

Free Research Field

病態生理学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究により、細菌感染時に血中や尿中で特異的に増える修飾ヌクレオシド（RNAの分解産物）を同定した。同定された修飾ヌクレオシドは生理活性を有していなかったが、起炎菌の数と相関が認められた。従来、細菌感染時の細菌を同定するためには、細菌培養やPCRにより同定していたが、同定までに24時間以上かかっていた。本研究成果から、血清中もしくは尿中の修飾ヌクレオシドが、従来の細菌感染マーカーとは異なり、感染している細菌数を反映した新しい細菌感染マーカーになることが示唆された。