Axon regeneration in the central nervous system with a novel blocker for semaphorin

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26640043
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Neurochemistry/Neuropharmacology
• Research Institution: University of Hyogo (2016); Kyoto University (2014-2015)
• Principal Investigator: Oinuma Izumi 兵庫県立大学, 生命理学研究科, 教授 (40452297)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: axon / small GTPase / R-Ras / axon regeneration / actin

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We have reported that GTP-bound R-Ras stimulates axonal elongation and branching in cultured neurons. Elucidation of regulatory mechanisms for axonal morphogenesis by active R-Ras is helpful for axonal regenerative study, and we searched for R-Ras-binding proteins responsible for axonal development through yeast-two-hybrid screening. Through the screening, we identified an actin-binding protein, afadin, for R-Ras binding partner mediating axonal branching. We further identified alternative variants for afadin, l-afadin and s-afadin, and their opposite roles for inducing axonal branching.

Free Research Field

神経科学