Elucidation of the regulatory mechanisms of appetite for protein

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 22K19149
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Research (Exploratory)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Medium-sized Section 38:Agricultural chemistry and related fields
• Research Institution: Kyoto University
• Principal Investigator: Matsui Sho 京都大学, 農学研究科, 助教 (80739673)
• Project Period (FY): 2022-06-30 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: Glucagon / Protein / Amino acid / Preference

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Glucagon regulated eating behavior in a protein-specific manner. It is also interesting to note that it regulates ingestion behavior towards non-essential, but not essential amino acids. Suppressing the intake behavior of essential amino acids, which cannot be synthesized by the body, is dangerous for the maintenance of life. In contrast, suppressing the intake behavior of non-essential amino acids, which can be synthesized by the body, makes sense in controlling the excessive intake of protein as a nitrogen source. This suggests that glucagon is not only a regulator of protein intake but may also be a hormone responsible for the previously unidentified regulation of nitrogen intake.

Free Research Field

代謝学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

サルコペニアの予防・治療には食事療法が用いられる。筋タンパク質の合成は栄養（分枝鎖アミノ酸）、インスリンなどのホルモンにより誘導されることがわかっている。したがって、十分なタンパク質やアミノ酸の摂取が重要であるが、タンパク質やアミノ酸の摂取調節機序が未解明であるため、摂取を効果的に促せていないのが現状である。本研究の成果は、「タンパク質に対する食欲の制御機構」を解明することで、サルコペニアに対する効果的な治療法の開発に繋がることが期待される。