The role of CAPN7 in the adaptation to environmental change

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25440059
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Functional biochemistry
• Research Institution: Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science
• Principal Investigator: ONO Yasuko 公益財団法人東京都医学総合研究所, 生体分子先端研究分野, 副参事研究員 (20392376)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: カルパイン / プロテアーゼ / タンパク質相互作用 / 致死性

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Calpain is an intracellular calcium-requiring cysteine protease, functioning to modulate substrate structure and activity by limited proteolysis. The human genome contains 15 different calpain genes. Among them, CAPN7 (previously called PalBH or calpain-7) is most evolutionarily conserved. In the organisms such as yeast and fungi, CAPN7 homologue functions as an activator for a critical transcription factor in adaptation to an increase of environmental pH. To extend our knowledge about this diversely conserved calpain species, this study aimed to examine the role of CAPN7 in higher vertebrates using genetically modified mouse and cultured cells.
In mouse, homozygous knock-out of the Capn7 gene in C57/B6J background results in neonatal lethality. The primary cause of this phenotype still remains unclear; however, it was demonstrated that CAPN7 protease activity is required for the rescue of this phenotype. Potential function of Capn7 by its structure was also suggested.

Free Research Field

タンパク質科学