The reprograming mechanism of damaged motor neurons

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K19310
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Research (Exploratory)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Medium-sized Section 46:Neuroscience and related fields
• Research Institution: Nagoya University
• Principal Investigator: Sumiko Kiryu-Seo 名古屋大学, 医学系研究科, 准教授 (70311529)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-07-09 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 神経損傷 / 運動ニューロン / タンパク質分解

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study aimed to elucidate the mechanism by which damaged motor neurons transit to an immature state to activate their regenerative capacity. In this process, various damage responses occurred in a coordinated manner, and the failure of any one of the damage responses is considered to induce degeneration. We searched for the mechanism using two types of mice that were designed to be destined for regeneration or degeneration in response to nerve injury. We found a new mechanism in which damaged motor neurons use proteolysis to transit to an immature state and satisfy energy demand in injured axons.

Free Research Field

神経科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

損傷や変性疾患、老化によりダメージを受けた神経細胞が変性に至る過程は様々である。損傷ニューロンが神経変性を免れ神経再生を適切に進行させることができれば神経ネットワークに再び組み込まれるポテンシャルは高い。このため神経再生能力を賦活化するメカニズムを理解することは神経再生のロードマップ作成を目指す上で極めて意義が高く、再生医療や予防医療の発展に貢献することが期待される。