Elucidating the Mechanisms of Gut Hormones for Nutritional Choice

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 22K20649
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: 0702:Biology at cellular to organismal levels, and related fields
• Research Institution: Gunma University
• Principal Investigator: Yoshinari Yuto 群馬大学, 生体調節研究所, 助教 (30961388)
• Project Period (FY): 2022-08-31 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: ホルモン / 腸 / 高タンパク質食 / 栄養 / 神経ペプチド

Outline of Final Research Achievements

While the mechanisms by which organisms respond to protein deficiency have been thoroughly studied, the processes through which organisms suppress excessive protein intake remain largely unexplored. In this study, using Drosophila melanogaster, we discovered that the peptide hormone CCHamide1 (CCHa1), which is secreted by enteroendocrine cells in response to a high-protein diet, inhibits excessive protein consumption. We found that gut-derived CCHa1 is received by neurons projecting to the gut and modulates protein-specific satiety. This research uncovers the interaction between gut hormones and neurons that regulate physiological responses, preventing protein overdose and helping organisms adapt to a high-protein diet.

Free Research Field

動物生理学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究により、腸内分泌細胞と神経間のシグナル伝達が高タンパク質食への適応に重要であることが明らかになった。これまでの国内外の研究では、ホルモンが特定の栄養素の過不足をどのように感知し是正するのか、またそのシステムが破綻した際の影響を包括的に調査した例はほとんどなかった。今後、腸内分泌細胞がどのようにして特定の栄養条件への適応を実現するのかを、ショウジョウバエや哺乳動物を用いてさらに研究することで、ヒトの摂食・代謝疾患の新しい治療法の開発に寄与できると考えられる。