Seaching for clock genes involved in social synchrony in social insects

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K06276
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 44050:Animal physiological chemistry, physiology and behavioral biology-related
• Research Institution: Kawasaki Medical School
• Principal Investigator: Moriyama Yoshiyuki 川崎医科大学, 医学部, 講師 (30707394)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 時計遺伝子 / 社会性昆虫

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Research was conducted to search for clock genes involved in communication and biological rhythm synchronisation in social insects. From the obtained partial clock gene sequences of the Camponotus japonicus, the daily expression rhythms of clock genes, such as period, were clarified. In addition, in situ hybridisation was used to identify a group of cells expressing the period gene and to indicate the candidate of candidate clock cells. An attempt was made to perform RNAi to suppress the expression of the target gene by injecting double-stranded RNA(dsRNA) and to analyse the function of the clock gene, but it was not possible to efficiently introduce the dsRNA into the cells, so it was not possible to reach a functional analysis.

Free Research Field

体内時計

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

昆虫概日時計の研究ではショウジョウバエにおいて最も研究が進んでいるが、近年昆虫種によって時計遺伝子をはじめとする分子基盤に差異があり、ショウジョウバエを用いた研究から得られた知見だけでは普遍的な昆虫概日時計を説明できず、様々な昆虫種において概日時計の分子メカニズムをを明らかにし、比較する必要がある。アリ類の時計遺伝子とその発現リズムなど本研究で明らかにした成果は、昆虫における概日時計の普遍的メカニズムを明らかにする上での一端を担う意味では学術的意義がある。