Analysis of the odorant binding protein function and application to drug delivery carrier

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K09645
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 56050:Otorhinolaryngology-related
• Research Institution: Muroran Institute of Technology
• Principal Investigator: Sawada Ken 室蘭工業大学, 大学院工学研究科, 准教授 (50304308)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 匂い分子結合タンパク質 / 嗅覚輸送 / ドラッグデリバリー / 薬剤キャリヤー

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Analysis of the physiological mechanism of odorant binding protein revealed that they function as scavengers. We also identified taken into the olfactory epithelium by endocytosis. this endocytosis need to CD36 protein. We also identified that two amino acid residues of odorant binding protein involved in this endocytosis.
In establishing a drug delivery system for the brain using this protein, we found that this protein was distributed throughout the ventricles of the brain 10 minutes after administration by olfactory transport, and was digested 3 hours later. This method was found to be effective in the treatment of olfactory-impaired mice using this protein, as when this protein was used as a drug carrier, complete cure was achieved with one-third the dose of when it was not used.

Free Research Field

生化学　分子生物学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

匂い分子結合タンパク質が嗅覚において嗅神経細胞の匂い感度上昇に関与しているだけでなくエンドサイトーシスにより匂い分子の除去にも関与している分子機構を明らかにできた。
脳への薬剤キャリヤーとして本タンパク質が有効であることが分かったが、嗅覚障害以外の脳疾患の治療への応用を解析することは超高齢化社会の問題の１つである認知症・パーキンソン病の治療のきっかけになる可能性があると考えている。