Molecular Mechanism of Myelination Regulated by Teneurin-4

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25860701
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Neurology
• Research Institution: Tokyo Medical and Dental University
• Principal Investigator: Suzuki Nobuharu 東京医科歯科大学, 大学院保健衛生学研究科, 准教授 (30596565)
• Research Collaborator: YAMADA YOSHIHIKO 米国国立保健衛生研究所, 歯学頭蓋研究所, 部長 ; HIRASAWA ERI 順天堂大学, 大学院医学研究科・老人性疾患病態治療研究センター, 教授 ; AKAZAWA CHIHIRO 東京医科歯科大学, 大学院保健衛生学研究科, 教授 ; MABUCHI YO 東京医科歯科大学, 大学院保健衛生学研究科, 助教
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: オリゴデンドロサイト / 髄鞘 / Teneurin-4

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Myelination by oligodendrocytes is essential for proper functioning of the central nervous system (CNS). Here, we showed that a type II transmembrane protein teneurin-4 (Ten-4) was essential for CNS myelination. Further, Ten-4 possessed cell-cell adhesion activity. The recombinant protein of the Ten-4 extracellular domain promoted cell attachment and a positive effect on oligodendrocyte morphological change and myelination. These findings suggest that Ten-4 is a novel regulator of oligodendrocyte differentiation and that it plays a critical role in the myelination of axons in the CNS.

Free Research Field

分子生物学