Analysis of neutral amino acid metabolism after X-irradiation and Radio-sensitization by targeting amino acid metabolism

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K14971
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 42020:Veterinary medical science-related
• Research Institution: Yamagata University
• Principal Investigator: BO TOMOKI 山形大学, 医学部, 助教 (90878141)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: がん / 分岐鎖アミノ酸 / 代謝 / 放射線療法

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, we analyze cancer neutral amino acids　metabolism in terms of energy metabolism after X-irradiation. We investigated the radiation response of neutral amino acid metabolism to develop a new cancer therapy targeting neutral amino acid metabolism in cancer cells. (1) We attempted radiosensitization targeting the branched-chain amino acid metabolic process among neutral amino acids. (2) We evaluated the energy response to X-irradiation when branched-chain amino acid metabolism was inhibited. (3) We also provided the mechanism of radiosensitization by inhibiting the branched-chain amino acid metabolic process. Based on the above studies, we succeeded in obtaining basic data for the development of novel radiotherapy by realizing radiosensitization targeting branched-chain amino acid metabolism.

Free Research Field

放射線生物学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究により中性アミノ酸代謝のうち分岐鎖アミノ酸を標的とした放射線増感効果が実証することができたことから、新規がん放射線療法の開発につながる基礎データを得られた。また、がん細胞におけるアミノ酸代謝過程の理解が進めることができ、新規のがん治療標的を確立する上で意義ある研究結果となった。本知見は、放射線照射を受けたがん細胞の生存戦略におけるアミノ酸代謝の担う役割の理解に繋がり、放射線生物学の知見をより一層深化させただけでなく、アミノ酸代謝を標的とした新規がん放射線療法の開発につながる知見となった。