Investigation of ligands against an unique receptor expressing in avian oocytes and its physiological function

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 22K19244
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Research (Exploratory)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Medium-sized Section 42:Veterinary medical science, animal science, and related fields
• Research Institution: Nagoya University
• Principal Investigator: Murai Atsushi 名古屋大学, 生命農学研究科, 教授 (10313975)
• Project Period (FY): 2022-06-30 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 畜産学 / 栄養生理学 / ニワトリ / 卵 / 栄養素 / 脂質

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In the process of elucidating the mechanism of maternal immunity in avian species, we discovered a novel receptor, LRP2L, which has not been identified in any animal species. In this study, to identify the endogenous ligand of LRP2L, we examined the expression characteristics of LRP2L in chickens and mice and searched for endogenous ligands in the chicken blood. In chicken ovaries, LRP2L was found to be most highly expressed in white follicles and to decrease as the developmental stage progresses. We also found that this gene is expressed in the testes and ovaries of mice. We synthesized secretory recombinant LRP2L with different molecular sizes and searched for endogenous ligands in chicken blood, but were unable to identify a potent ligand.

Free Research Field

栄養生理学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

LRP2L受容体の血中内因性リガンドは依然として明らかではないが、LRP2Lの卵母細胞膜での発現の特徴、哺乳類におけるオルソログ遺伝子の発現についての知見を得ることができた。今回作出したLRP2Lのミニタンパク質を活用して、LRP2Lのリガンド探索や生理的役割を解析することで、鳥類だけではなく、幅広い生物種での本受容体の機能が明らかにされていくであろう。本研究は、生殖機能を制御する新しいホルモンや機能性成分の発見につながることが期待される。