Analysis of phospholipid sn-1 fatty acid-determining factor and establishment of target molecule identification technique

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 22K15273
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 47030:Pharmaceutical hygiene and biochemistry-related
• Research Institution: Nara Institute of Science and Technology (2023); The University of Tokyo (2022)
• Principal Investigator: Kawana Hiroki 奈良先端科学技術大学院大学, 先端科学技術研究科, 助教 (40846672)
• Project Period (FY): 2022-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: リン脂質 / リゾリン脂質アシルトランスフェラーゼ / 網膜変性 / 脂肪酸誘導体 / ホスホリパーゼA

Outline of Final Research Achievements

It has been unclear the effect of changes in sn-1 position fatty acids of phospholipids on the normal function of organs. In this study, we found that LPLAT7/LPGAT1 involving in the determination of sn-1 position fatty acids, is essential for visual function and maintenance of adipose tissue, and revealed a part of the mechanism of dysfunction using gene-deficient animals. In addition, new regulatory factors involved in the determination of the fatty acid composition of phospholipids were identified. We revealed the mechanism of fatty acid composition of phospholipids and its biological significance.

Free Research Field

脂質生物学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

これまでほとんどその実体が不明であったリン脂質脂肪酸部の切断に関わり、脂肪酸部決定に寄与する新規因子群の同定はリン脂質の脂肪酸部形成機構の全容を解明する上で重要であり、学術的な意義は大きいと考えられる。さらに特定のリン脂質が持つ視覚機能への影響を明らかにできたことにより、それらをヒトの網膜色素変性症の治療や予防に応用できる可能性が示された点は医療への応用という観点でも意義があると考えられる。