The analysis for molecular mechanism of lifespan regulation by RNA binding protein

2013 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25670138
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: General medical chemistry
• Research Institution: The University of Tokyo
• Principal Investigator: AKIYAMA Tetsu 東京大学, 分子細胞生物学研究所, 教授 (70150745)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2014-03-31
• Keywords: 寿命 / 老化 / 脂肪組織 / 分化

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Mex-3B is an RNA-binding protein, but its function is poorly understood, We found that Mex-3B-deficient mice are long-lived. We therefore attempted to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying lifespan regulation by Mex-3B.We found that Mex-3B deficient mice were resistant to obesity and showed significantly decreased adipocyte tissue weights. In addition, we found that Mex-3B were down-regulated in adipocyte tissues by caloric restriction, a well-known method to extend lifespan. These results suggest that Mex-3B regulates lipid metabolism in adipocyte tissues, and Mex-3B deficiency prolongs lifespan by a mechanism similar to that involved in lifespan extension by caloric restriction.
We also performed adipocyte differentiation assays using Mex-3B-deficient cells. We found that Mex-3B deficiency suppressed adipocyte differentiation. Thus, lifespan extension and resistance to obesity seen in Mex-3B-deficient mice may be resulted from suppression of adipocyte differentiation.

Free Research Field

医歯薬学