Mechanisms of optimization of developmental programs for adaptation to the environment

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 22K20639
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: 0701:Biology at molecular to cellular levels, and related fields
• Research Institution: Japan Women's University
• Principal Investigator: OHNO Hayao 日本女子大学, 理学部, 講師 (00747272)
• Project Period (FY): 2022-08-31 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 胚発生 / エピジェネティクス / 表現型可塑性 / 線虫 / 動物-微生物相互作用

Outline of Final Research Achievements

When the mother of the nematode C. elegans experiences harmful gut microbes, its embryos undergo additional endodermal cell divisions. The divisions coincide with developmental changes including left-right asymmetric cell alignment and doubled association between endodermal cells and primordial germ cells, leading to improved fecundity. The research was conducted to analyze the molecular mechanisms of this phenomenon. During the research period, we have achieved the following: (1) isolation of mutants in which their embryogenesis is altered even in the absence of harmful microbes, (2) development of an experimental methodology that can detect alternative embryogenesis more effectively, (3) construction of a fluorescence microscope system that can observe molecular localization and cellular structures in the developing embryo with high sensitivity, and (4) discovery of the involvement of a lysosome-related gene in this phenomenon.

Free Research Field

分子生物学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

腸内微生物の研究はここ十年ほどの間に爆発的な進展を見せているが、「動物が胚発生変化を起こすことで腸内微生物に適応する」という本研究で扱う現象は、他の生物種を含めても類似の報告がなく、さらに基盤となる仕組みを詳細に明らかにしていくことで優れたインパクトを持つ研究となると考えている。本研究での成果をもとにして、この現象のメカニズムを分子レベル・細胞レベルでさらに解明することを目指して研究を進めていく。