Mechanism of microRNA-mediated regulation of pituitary cell differentiation

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K05982
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 42030:Animal life science-related
• Research Institution: National Center for Child Health and Development
• Principal Investigator: Nakamura Kazuaki 国立研究開発法人国立成育医療研究センター, 薬剤治療研究部, 室長 (80392356)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: マイクロRNA / 下垂体 / 発生 / 細胞分化 / 下垂体前駆細胞

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The purpose of this study was to clarify the involvement of microRNAs (miRNAs) in the differentiation of pituitary hormone-producing cells and to examine the possibility that miRNAs act as fine-tuners for pituitary cell differentiation through the previously identified transcription factor cascade. Through this study, we clarified the variation of miRNA expression during mouse pituitary development and found that the loss of miRNAs in GH-expressing cells may disrupt the differentiation direction of GH/TSH-producing cells and that miR-200C may be involved in the induction of GH-producing cell differentiation.

Free Research Field

実験薬理学、細胞生物学、内分泌学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

近年、マイクロRNA（miRNA）による遺伝子発現・翻訳制御機構と細胞分化・発生、疾患発症との関連が注目されている。本研究では、miRNAによる下垂体細胞分化調節機構の解明ならびにmiRNAのiPS細胞由来下垂体細胞分化誘導系への応用を目的とした。本研究の成果は、miRNAが関与する下垂体細胞分化調節機構に迫り、下垂体発生機構の理解をより進めるとともに、再生医療分野における下垂体細胞分化誘導法を考察する上でも意義がある。