RNA-mediated regulatory mechanisms involved in germ cell development

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26251025
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (A)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Developmental biology
• Research Institution: National Institute of Genetics
• Principal Investigator: Saga Yumiko 国立遺伝学研究所, 系統生物研究センター, 教授 (50221271)
• Co-Investigator(Renkei-kenkyūsha): KATO Yuzuru 国立遺伝学研究所, 系統生物研究センター, 助教 (60570249) ; AJIMA Rieko 国立遺伝学研究所, 系統生物研究センター, 助教 (10615066) ; NINOMIYA Yoichirou 国立遺伝学研究所, 系統生物研究センター, 特任研究員 (90237777) ; SUZUKI Atsushi 横浜国立大学, 工学(系)研究科(研究院), 准教授 (60467058)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: Nanos2 / Nanos3 / Dnd1 / germ cell / testis / spermatogenesis / P-body

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In the germ cell development, regulatory mechanisms mediated via the function of RNA binding proteins are especially important. We have focused on functions of Nanos2 and Nanos3, which are expressed specifically in germ cells. We found that Nanos3 functions in the amplification process of undifferentiated spermatogonia during spermatogenesis, in addition to the important function in PGC development. On the other hand, Nanos2 suppresses expression of the target gene Dazl through binding to its 3'-UTR in the embryonic male germ cells. In addition, we found that Nanos2 maintains spermatogonial stem cell state via 1) direct recruitment and translational repression of genes that promote spermatogonial differentiation, and 2) repression of the target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1), by sequestration of the core factor mTOR in mRNPs. This mechanism establishes a post-transcriptional buffering system to facilitate SSC homeostasis in the fluctuating environment within the seminiferous tubule.

Free Research Field

発生遺伝学