Understanding biological ignificance of histone modifications by epigenetic manipulation using multifunctional antibodies

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26291071
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Partial Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Genetics/Chromosome dynamics
• Research Institution: Tokyo Institute of Technology
• Principal Investigator: Kimura Hiroshi 東京工業大学, 科学技術創成研究院, 教授 (30241392)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: クロマチン / エピジェネティクス / 遺伝子発現制御 / 転写 / ヒストン修飾 / 細胞分裂 / 抗体

Outline of Final Research Achievements

DNA in eukaryotic nuclei forms chromatin by binding with histone proteins. Histones are subjected to a variety of posttranslational modifications, but the biological significance of those modifications remains largely unknown. In this study, we performed inhibitory assay based on antibody injection, identification of proteins that bind to specifically modified chromatin, and development of new live cell modification probes. When phosphorylated histone-specific probes were injected into cells, chromosome missegregation was observed, which probably resulted from bridging between sister chromatids. A candidate protein that bound to phsophorylated chromatin localized to centromeres. Finally, we developed some new modification-specific intracellular antibody probes that could monitor specific modifications in living cells.

Free Research Field

細胞生物学・エピジェネティクス