Elucidation of the control system of axon initial segment starting from the nucleus

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K20692
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: 0704:Neuroscience, brain sciences, and related fields
• Research Institution: Shimane University
• Principal Investigator: Hasegawa Koichi 島根大学, 学術研究院医学・看護学系, 講師 (20546783)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-08-30 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 軸索起始部 / 核膜複合体 / 核 / 軸索 / 可塑性 / i-GONAD

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The AIS, located proximal to the cell body of axon, plays a pivotal role in the generation and regulation of action potentials. However, although the AIS itself is known to be a highly plastic structure, how it is formed and how its plasticity is regulated has not yet been understood. In this study, I analyzed the molecular mechanisms of AIS formation and plasticity regulation by the nuclear membrane LINC complex, whose function is unknown for neurites. The present study suggests that the LINC complex is essential for the regulation of AIS formation and plasticity via actin cytoskeleton.

Free Research Field

神経科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究により、AISの形成や可塑性制御に核膜LINC複合体が関与し、また、それはさまざまな神経細胞で普遍性を示していたことから、脳機能の根本的基盤となる分子機構の発見に寄与したと考えられる。今後は、てんかんや双極性障害などに関与するAIS関連遺伝子由来の神経疾患の治療法、予防法の開発に貢献することが期待される。