Imaging of happy signal in the brain using a novel fluorescent oxytocin sensor

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K06421
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 46030:Function of nervous system-related
• Research Institution: Osaka University
• Principal Investigator: Ino Daisuke 大阪大学, 大学院医学系研究科, 特任講師(常勤) (40721981)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: オキシトシン / 蛍光イメージング / 脳

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Oxytocin (OT) is a neuropeptide that is also known as the 'happy hormone' or 'love hormone.' It regulates diverse brain functions, from social cognition to emotion to appetite, and is a potential therapeutic agent for many mental illnesses. A better understanding of how OT acts in the brain during a variety of tasks will advance our knowledge of OT-related physiological and pathological processes, and pave the way for the development of novel therapeutics for refractory mental disorders, such as autism spectrum disorders and schizophrenia. We developed an ultrasensitive fluorescent OT sensor, designated MTRIAOT, which is a chimera protein composed of the OT receptor from medaka and an engineered green fluorescent protein-based module. We introduced MTRIAOT to mouse brain and conducted in vivo recording of brain OT dynamics in living mice. Our analysis revealed that the temporal profiles of OT signals were highly variable and depended on the behavioral context of the mouse.

Free Research Field

神経科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

今回開発した超高感度蛍光オキシトシンセンサーにより、生きた動物の脳内からオキシトシン濃度変化をリアルタイムで計測することを実現できるようになった。本研究では、限られた実験条件下で脳内オキシトシン動態計測を実施したが、オキシトシンと関連が示唆されている生理機能や病態はまだたくさん残されており、今後幅広い研究への応用が期待される。特にオキシトシンは、自閉スペクトラム症や統合失調症といった難治性疾患を治療するための鍵として注目されており、本ツールの活用により病因解明や治療薬開発が大きく前進することが期待される。