Elucidation of the mechanism of action of Q-neurons

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K19287
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Research (Exploratory)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Medium-sized Section 45:Biology at organismal to population levels and anthropology, and related fields
• Research Institution: University of Tsukuba
• Principal Investigator: Sakurai Takeshi 筑波大学, 医学医療系, 教授 (60251055)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-07-09 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 冬眠 / 人工冬眠 / 体温調節 / 視床下部

Outline of Final Research Achievements

To investigate the mechanisms underlying QIH in detail, we generated the Qrfp-FlpO mouse line and developed the photogenetic tool OPN4ΔC to induce QIH for extended periods (>24 hours). Our findings demonstrated that heart rate changes during QIH induction and recovery phases occur more rapidly than changes in body temperature. Additionally, we conducted mononuclear RNA sequencing of Q neurons to comprehensively identify the genes expressed by these neurons. Our results revealed that agonists of some of these receptors excite Q neurons and that intracerebroventricular administration of these agonists in mice can induce hypothermia.

Free Research Field

神経科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

神経系の操作による人工冬眠状態であるQIHの生理的状態をよりよく理解するための知見を得たとともに、将来さらに詳細に解明するためのリソースを確立した。また、Qニューロンを興奮させ、低体温を惹起する低分子化合物を開発するために必要な情報を獲得した。