Characterization of sweet taste receiving cells in the gut and analysis of their cellular functions

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25560046
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Eating habits
• Research Institution: The University of Tokyo
• Principal Investigator: ABE Keiko 東京大学, 農学生命科学研究科, 名誉教授 (10151094)
• Co-Investigator(Renkei-kenkyūsha): ISHIMARU Yoshiro 東京大学, 大学院農学生命科学研究科, 特任准教授 (10451840)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: 味覚科学 / 消化管刷子細胞 / エネルギー代謝

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The transcription factor Skn-1a was found to be expressed not only in taste cells but also in gut brush cells. Also, it was involved in their differentiation. Mice with deleted Skn-1a (S-KO) and wild type mice showed similar food intakes when fed on a standard diet (AIN 93G) and on a high-fat diet. Despite that, S-KO mice were significantly different from wild type mice is terms of body weight decrease, body fat reduction, insulin secretion decrease at the time of OGTT, serum ketone body elevation, and so on. This indicates that lipid metabolism is more activated in Skn-1a mice and also that their brush border cells function possibly as an energy sensor.

Free Research Field

味覚科学、食品科学、分子細胞生物学、神経科学、食と健康科学