Analysis of structure and function of proteins involved in membrane fusion using two-photon fluorescence lifetime imaging

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26460290
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: General physiology
• Research Institution: The University of Tokyo
• Principal Investigator: Takahashi Noriko 東京大学, 大学院医学系研究科(医学部), 講師 (60332178)
• Research Collaborator: WATANABE Satoshi ; NOGUCHI Jun ; SAWADA Wakako ; HASAN Ucar ; KASAI Haruo
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 神経伝達 / 蛋白質 / 蛍光 / 2光子励起 / 開口放出 / 膜融合

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Membrane fusion is involved in neurotransmitter release and hormone secretion. Using two-photon fluorescence lifetime imaging and fluorescence labeling techniques of proteins, we measured assembly of proteins involved in membrane fusion, and detected the conformational change during the exocytosis. We detected the significant assembly of SNARE molecules in the presynaptic terminals, and oligomerization with the linker of SNAP25 was required for the ultrafast exocytosis. Moreover, such assembly was considered to be related with release probability. However, in the resting conditions in pancreatic beta cells, seldom assebly was detected, indicating that stimulants those increase cytosolic calciumconcentration is neccesary for assembling SNARE molecules.

Free Research Field

生理学