mTORC1-dependent control of mRNA translation in liver cancer

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K07102
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 50010:Tumor biology-related
• Research Institution: Kumamoto University
• Principal Investigator: Morita Masahiro 熊本大学, 生命資源研究・支援センター, 客員教授 (50549475)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: がん / mRNA翻訳

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This research project aimed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the impact of obesity on cancer development and progression. We demonstrated that the nutrient-sensing mTORC1 pathway plays a crucial role in maintaining energy balance in cancer cells. Employing polysome profiling and RNA-seq analysis, we identified mRNAs translationally activated in tumors. This analysis led to the proposal of a novel concept, "dynamic changes in disease mRNA translation for protein homeostasis maintenance," which significantly contributed to unraveling the mechanisms of obesity-associated cancer development. During the grant period, we published a corresponding-author paper in Cell Metabolism and co-authored articles in high-impact journals such as Science Advances, Aging Cell, and Hepatology.

Free Research Field

mRNA翻訳

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究は、肥満ががんの発症・進展に与える影響を分子レベルで解明し、「エネルギーバランス維持のためのmRNA翻訳の動的変化」という新たな概念を提唱することで、肥満関連がんの発症メカニズムを解明した。この成果は、新たな治療標的の創出、早期診断・治療法の開発、予防法の開発、公衆衛生政策の策定など、肥満関連がん対策の様々な側面に貢献することが期待される。更なる研究開発を通じて、肥満関連がんという深刻な課題克服に貢献していくことが重要である。