Roles for S-adenosylmethionine in B cell differentiation and activation

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K20770
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: 0803:Pathology, infection/immunology, and related fields
• Research Institution: Tohoku University
• Principal Investigator: Kato Hiroki 東北大学, 医学系研究科, 助教 (50801677)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-08-30 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: Bリンパ球造血 / エピゲノム / メチオニン代謝 / Sアデノシルメチオニン

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Disorders of B cell differentiations and activations can be related to several diseases including autoimmune disorders. For its proper differentiations and activations, epigenetic modifications should possess significant roles. S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) is inevitable for epigenetic modifications as a principle methyl donor, suggesting its important roles for B cell biology. However, still little is known for the importance of SAM in B cell biology, especially in vivo. In this study, we revealed that SAM synthesis is necessary for proper B cell differentiation in its early stage in vivo by using several mouse models. Further investigation of this mechanism will help us understand the unknown mechanisms in B cell biology controlled by the SAM metabolism.

Free Research Field

メチオニン代謝の造血における役割の解明

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

Bリンパ球の異常は自己免疫疾患や白血病など治療の難しいさまざまな疾患の発症に関わる。これまでこれらの疾患の克服に向けて、遺伝要因の解明が精力的に行われてきたものの、これらの疾患は依然として難治性である。環境要因がBリンパ球造血にもたらす影響の解明が急務である。我々は、環境要因の一つとしての栄養（メチオニン）の代謝がBリンパ球造血に重要である可能性について研究を積み重ねている。今回、メチオニンからのSアデノシルメチオニンの合成が生体内Bリンパ球造血に必要であることをはじめて明らかにできた。本機序のさらなる解明が、上記疾患の克服につながることが期待される。