Novel Regulation of Cell Migration by the GTP Metabolic Compartment of the Leading Edge

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K15019
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 43010:Molecular biology-related
• Research Institution: National Cancer Center Japan
• Principal Investigator: Kamata Ryo 国立研究開発法人国立がん研究センター, 先端医療開発センター, 特任研究員 (60801420)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 細胞遊走 / 代謝

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Cancer cells continuously induce abnormal cell migration despite low nutrition and hypoxia stress conditions. However, how cancer cells turn on continuous cell migration under stress conditions remains a mystery. We have identified a novel energy system that regulates cell migration by compartmentalizing intracellular energy metabolism. This study focuses on the metabolic compartmentalization of energy metabolism to elucidate the molecular mechanism of sustained cell migration of cancer cells, which may provide new possibilities for developing cancer therapy strategies.

Free Research Field

分子生物学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究により、細胞内のGTPの分布は急峻な勾配を形成し、GTP生合成酵素群は細胞遊走先端部leading edgeに蓄積することを明らかにした。これまでに腫瘍形成・増殖における細胞内エネルギー物質“GTP (グアノシン三リン酸)”の役割と、GTP代謝の制御が治療標的になり得ることを報告している。これらの研究により癌の本態を解き明かし、新たな治療方法の確立に大きく貢献することが期待できる。