Analysis of molecular mechanisms and physiological functions in regulation of protein metabolism by D-amino acids

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 22K17816
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 59040:Nutrition science and health science-related
• Research Institution: Waseda University
• Principal Investigator: Yano Satoshi 早稲田大学, 人間科学学術院, 助教 (60936615)
• Project Period (FY): 2022-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: D-アミノ酸 / 発酵食品 / オートファジー / 腸細胞 / タンパク質代謝

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The effects of D-amino acids on autophagy were screened and analyzed in intestinal cells, and several D-amino acids that activate autophagy were identified. The autophagy activation by D-amino acids suggested the existence of a mechanism different from that of general nutrient starvation signaling. Therefore, we performed transcriptome analysis of the D-amino acids that activate autophagy and analyzed their effects on intracellular signals from in silico analysis, and the changes in gene expression suggested their involvement in specific signals. Furthermore, we verified the effect of D-amino acids on autophagy by using fermented foods rich in D-amino acids, and found that the content ratio of D-amino acids and coexisting components functioned to regulate autophagy.

Free Research Field

食品科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

近年、発酵食品にはD-アミノ酸が豊富に存在することが報告されており、発酵食品の有する腸への健康機能との関連も注目されている。モデル生物では、オートファジーが腸管の恒常性維持に重要であることや、オートファジーの活性化が健康寿命の延伸に寄与することが分かっている。本研究課題では、D-アミノ酸が腸細胞のオートファジー調節に機能することを明らかにし、その健康効果の一端を解析しており、D-アミノ酸の腸への健康効果の基礎的知見になると期待される。