Analysis of new functions of an intracellular protease in epithelial cancers

2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25462920
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Pathobiological dentistry/Dental radiology
• Research Institution: Nagasaki University
• Principal Investigator: FUKUMA Yutaka 長崎大学, 医歯薬学総合研究科(歯学系), 技術職員 (50253688)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): TSUKUBA Takayuki 長崎大学, 医歯薬学総合研究科(歯学系), 教授 (30264055) ; OKAMOTO Kuniaki 長崎大学, 医歯薬学総合研究科(歯学系), 准教授 (10311846) ; NISHISHITA Kazuhisa 長崎大学, 医歯薬学総合研究科(歯学系), 助教 (20237697) ; SAKAI Eiko 長崎大学, 医歯薬学総合研究科(歯学系), 助教 (10176612)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: 上皮性癌 / プロテアーゼ

Outline of Final Research Achievements

There are many studies reported relationship between cancer and proteases. For a long time, proteases have been recognized as bad factors for cancer progression. However, we discovered that cathepsin E prevents cancer progression as a good factor. In this study, we found that cathepsin E deficiency developed mammary tumors, and identified the altered genes and proteins in the cathepsin E-deficient mammary cells. As a result, Wnt5a was significantly impaired in the deficient mammary cells. Therefore, cathepsin E deficiency may cause abnormal Wnt/β-catenin signaling, thereby resulting in cancer development.

Free Research Field

歯科薬理学