Analysis of the molecular mechanism and identification of the novel compound that regulates Altruism

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 24510306
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Living organism molecular science
• Research Institution: Sophia University
• Principal Investigator: SAITO TAMAO 上智大学, 理工学部, 教授 (30281843)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): MORITA Naoki 国立研究開発法人産業技術総合研究所, 生物プロセス研究部門 分子生物工学研究グループ, グループ長 (60371085)
• Project Period (FY): 2012-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: ポリケタイド / 生合成 / 利他行動

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In order to understand the molecular mechanism of Altruistic behavior that can be seen in the social insects, we used the cellular slime mould, also known as social amoebae. In 2008, the report of a large-scale analysis of restriction enzyme mediated insertion mutants has been published, and two PKS genes were reported to be involved in Altruistic behavior. By the used of gene knockout mutants, we found out that pks2 null mutant was a Cheater mutant that differentiated more spore than its fair share, when mixed with wild type cells. Our result also suggested that the product of PKS2 was involved in the regulation of the communication between the slime mould and its environment. Pks26 null mutant was found to be a Loser mutant. As far as we know, there was no report of the Loser mutant in the cellular slime mould.

Free Research Field

生物分子科学