Search and structural elucidation of cell function regulators that control chromatin modification

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K05289
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 37020:Chemistry and chemical methodology of biomolecules-related
• Research Institution: Hiroshima University
• Principal Investigator: Ohta Shinji 広島大学, 統合生命科学研究科(生), 教授 (60185270)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 生物活性物質 / 海洋生物 / 昆虫 / 植物

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Modified histone heterodimers have been shown to be produced in A. pectinifera embryos at mid-blastula stage but not in earlier stages. The process from mid-blastula stage to early gastrula stage in embryogenesis is closely related to the initiation of cell differentiation. For the purpose of developing useful cell function regulators, we searched for bioactive natural products that selectively inhibit the progression of starfish embryonic development at the mid-blastula stage. Bioassay-guided fractionation of the crude extracts resulted in the isolation of new diterpenoids and sesquiterpenoids from soft corals collected in the Red Sea, new bromine-containing compounds from a Philippine marine sponge, new fluorescent compounds from an olive weevil, and new phenanthrene derivatives from roots of Asarum sp. Their structures were elucidated based on spectroscopic data and X-ray crystallography. Some of the isolated compounds were found to inhibit cancer cell proliferation.

Free Research Field

生物分子科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

これまで知られていない骨格構造を有する天然有機化合物を海洋生物や昆虫および植物などから新たに探し出すという今回の研究成果は、モデル生物としても知られる棘皮動物の胚発生過程における細胞分化などの重要な発生学的イベントで生起している現象のメカニズムを解明するのに必要なツールとなりうる新規な細胞機能調節物質の開発につながるという学術的な意義を有している。さらに社会的にも、これまで知られていない作用機構を持った抗がん剤や抗ウィルス剤など有用な医薬リード化合物の開発につながることが期待される。