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Genetic analysis of the function and development of pigment cells essential for visual and auditory senses

Research Project

Project/Area Number 17370001
Research Category

Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)

Allocation TypeSingle-year Grants
Section一般
Research Field Genetics/Genome dynamics
Research InstitutionTohoku University

Principal Investigator

YAMAMOTO Hiroaki  Tohoku University, Tohoku University, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Associate professor (40174809)

Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha) IKEO Kazuho  National Institute of Genetics, Laboratory for Dna Data Analysis, Associate Professor (20249949)
YAMAMOTO Kazuo  Graduate School of Life Sciences, 大学院・生命科学研究科, Professor (20093536)
Project Period (FY) 2005 – 2007
Project Status Completed (Fiscal Year 2007)
Budget Amount *help
¥15,500,000 (Direct Cost: ¥14,600,000、Indirect Cost: ¥900,000)
Fiscal Year 2007: ¥3,900,000 (Direct Cost: ¥3,000,000、Indirect Cost: ¥900,000)
Fiscal Year 2006: ¥3,100,000 (Direct Cost: ¥3,100,000)
Fiscal Year 2005: ¥8,500,000 (Direct Cost: ¥8,500,000)
Keywordspigment cell / mouse / inner ear / eye / auditory sense / visual sense / gene expression
Research Abstract

Mammalian pigment cells are essential for audio-visual senses. Still, little is known about the molecular mechanisms underlying these senses. The aim of this study is to elucidate especially the rolls of melanocytes developed from the neural crest. Melanocytes migrate from the neural tube to the skin (hair follicle and dermis), eye (choroid) and inner ear (stria vascularis) and so on. The choroid is adjacent to the RPE surrounding the eye. It is well known that RPE cells are essential for visual function. A failure of this function leads to degeneration of the retina, loss of visual function, resulting in blindness, while for the rolls of melanocytes in choroid, it was only reported to have function to protect choroidal blood vessels from light toxicity. As the first stage of our research, we analyzed the electroretinogram (ERG) of two mutant strains (Mitf^<mi-bw>/Mitf^<mi-bw> and Kit^<W-v>/Kit^W), both showing the black-eyed white (coat) phenotype caused by failure of melanocyte development. We recorded the ERGs of these two mutant mouse strains and compared with the normal mouse ERG to ascertain whether mice without neural crest-derived melanocytes have normal visual function or not. We found that both melanocyte-less mutants show increased oscillatory potentials (OPs). This result first suggests that melanocyte-less mice may have abnormal visual senses. On the other hand, we found a new gene expression in the inner ear strongly suggesting a role of inner ear melanocytes as a stress reliever. The gene is glutathioneS-transferase alpha 4 (Gsta4). Gsta4 encodes one of the cytosolic glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) participating in detoxification processes of many tissues. Functional analysis of these lines of researches should be very important in future to elucidate the involvement of pigment cells in the audio-visual senses.

Report

(4 results)
  • 2007 Annual Research Report   Final Research Report Summary
  • 2006 Annual Research Report
  • 2005 Annual Research Report
  • Research Products

    (34 results)

All 2008 2007 2006 2005 Other

All Journal Article (3 results) (of which Peer Reviewed: 2 results) Presentation (27 results) Remarks (4 results)

  • [Journal Article] Mitf contributes to melanosome distribution and melanophore dendricity2008

    • Author(s)
      Kawasaki, Akiha
    • Journal Title

      Pigment Cell and Melanoma Research 21

      Pages: 56-62

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Related Report
      2007 Annual Research Report 2007 Final Research Report Summary
    • Peer Reviewed
  • [Journal Article] Genomic localization of a Dct-LacZ transgene locus: a simple assay for a transgene status2006

    • Author(s)
      Takemoto, Yuji
    • Journal Title

      Pigment Cell Research 19

      Pages: 644-645

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Related Report
      2007 Final Research Report Summary
    • Peer Reviewed
  • [Journal Article] Genomic localization of a Dct-LacZ transgene locus : a simple assay for a transgene status.2006

    • Author(s)
      Takemoto Yuji, 他3名
    • Journal Title

      Pigment Cell Research 19

      Pages: 644-645

    • Related Report
      2006 Annual Research Report
  • [Presentation] 眼球の微細構造や視覚機能に関与するメラノサイトの機能の遺伝学的解析2007

    • Author(s)
      矢野 由希子
    • Organizer
      日本遺伝学会第79回大会
    • Place of Presentation
      岡山大学
    • Year and Date
      2007-09-21
    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Related Report
      2007 Annual Research Report 2007 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Presentation] Structual and functional analysis of melanocytes located in the choroid: A genetic approach2007

    • Author(s)
      Yano, Yukiko
    • Organizer
      The 79^<th> Annual Meeting of the Genetics society of Japan
    • Place of Presentation
      Okayama
    • Year and Date
      2007-09-21
    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      2007 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Presentation] 網膜色素上皮の発生を可能にする転写因子Mitfの細胞増殖に関する機能解析2007

    • Author(s)
      築地 長治
    • Organizer
      日本動物学会第78回大会
    • Place of Presentation
      弘前大学
    • Year and Date
      2007-09-20
    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Related Report
      2007 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Presentation] Mitfregulates cell proliferation during development of the RPE2007

    • Author(s)
      Tsukiji, Nagaharu
    • Organizer
      78^<th> annual meeting of the Zoological Society of Japan
    • Place of Presentation
      Hirosaki
    • Year and Date
      2007-09-20
    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      2007 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Presentation] マウス聴覚維持に必須の内耳メラノサイトと酸化ストレス防御機構の関連性の解析2007

    • Author(s)
      上原 重之
    • Organizer
      日本遺伝学会第79回大会
    • Place of Presentation
      岡山大学
    • Year and Date
      2007-09-19
    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Related Report
      2007 Annual Research Report 2007 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Presentation] Analysis of the relationship between the mouse inner ear melanocytes, essential for hearing acuity, and anti-oxidant response2007

    • Author(s)
      Uehara, Shigeyuki
    • Organizer
      The 79^<th> Annual Meeting of the Genetics society of Japan
    • Place of Presentation
      Okayama
    • Year and Date
      2007-09-19
    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      2007 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Presentation] 眼の機能に関わる色素細胞の機能進化2007

    • Author(s)
      山本 博章
    • Organizer
      日本進化学会第9回大会
    • Place of Presentation
      京都大学
    • Year and Date
      2007-08-31
    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Related Report
      2007 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Presentation] Evolution of the function of Pigmet Cells. (Workshop, Evolution of the eye)2007

    • Author(s)
      Yamamoto, Hiroaki
    • Organizer
      Society of evolutionary studies Japan. The 9^<th> annual meeting in Kyoto
    • Place of Presentation
      Kyoto
    • Year and Date
      2007-08-31
    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      2007 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Presentation] 眼の機能に関わる色素細胞の機能進化(ワークショップ・指名)2007

    • Author(s)
      山本博章
    • Organizer
      日本進化学会第9回大会
    • Place of Presentation
      京都大学
    • Year and Date
      2007-08-31
    • Related Report
      2007 Annual Research Report
  • [Presentation] マウス聴覚に必須の内耳メラノサイト特異的遺伝子発現の解析2006

    • Author(s)
      上原 重之
    • Organizer
      日本遺伝学会第78回大会
    • Place of Presentation
      つくばコンベンションビューロー
    • Year and Date
      2006-09-25
    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Related Report
      2007 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Presentation] Analysis of specific gene expressions in the mouse inner ear melanocytes responsible for hearing acuity2006

    • Author(s)
      Uehara, Shigeyuki
    • Organizer
      The 78^<th> Annual Meeting of the Genetics society of Japan
    • Place of Presentation
      Tsukuba
    • Year and Date
      2006-09-25
    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      2007 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Presentation] ニワトリ網膜色素上皮の発生における転写因子Mitfの機能2006

    • Author(s)
      築地 長治
    • Organizer
      目本動物学会第77回大会
    • Place of Presentation
      島根大学
    • Year and Date
      2006-09-22
    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Related Report
      2007 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Presentation] Mitf regulates differentiation and cell proliferation of the RPE2006

    • Author(s)
      Tsukiji, Nagaharu
    • Organizer
      77^<th> annual meeting of the Zoological Society of Japan
    • Place of Presentation
      Matsue
    • Year and Date
      2006-09-22
    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      2007 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Presentation] マウス聴覚に必須である内耳メラノサイトが関わる遺伝子発現の解析2005

    • Author(s)
      上原 重之
    • Organizer
      日本遺伝学会 第77回大会
    • Place of Presentation
      東京オリンピック記念青少年総合センター
    • Year and Date
      2005-09-27
    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Related Report
      2007 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Presentation] 感覚器色素細胞の機能進化2005

    • Author(s)
      山本 博章
    • Organizer
      日本遺伝学会 第77回大会
    • Place of Presentation
      東京オリンピック記念青少年総合センター
    • Year and Date
      2005-09-27
    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Related Report
      2007 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Presentation] Analysis of gene expressions in the mouse inner ear,of which function is affected by melanocytes responsible for hearing acuity2005

    • Author(s)
      Uehara, Shigeyuki
    • Organizer
      The 77^<th> Annual Meeting of the Genetics society of Japan
    • Place of Presentation
      Tokyo
    • Year and Date
      2005-09-27
    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      2007 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Presentation] Function and evolution of nervous system viewed from gene expression2005

    • Author(s)
      Yamamoto, Hiroaki
    • Organizer
      The 77^<th> annual meeting of the Genetics society of Japan
    • Place of Presentation
      Tokyo
    • Year and Date
      2005-09-27
    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      2007 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Presentation] 色素細胞の多様な機能 シンポジウム2-C1 「感覚シグナルと感覚受容系の進化I:色素細胞・感覚器の機能進化」2005

    • Author(s)
      山本 博章
    • Organizer
      第7回日本進化学会大会
    • Place of Presentation
      東北大学
    • Year and Date
      2005-08-26
    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Related Report
      2007 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Presentation] Function of Pigment cells Symposium 2-C12005

    • Author(s)
      Yamamoto, Hiroaki
    • Organizer
      Society of Evolutionary studies, Japan The 7^<th> annual meeting in Sendai
    • Place of Presentation
      Sendai
    • Year and Date
      2005-08-26
    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      2007 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Presentation] 網膜色素上皮による視細胞外節の貪食に必至な遺伝子Mertkの発現解析2005

    • Author(s)
      田沼 亮
    • Organizer
      日本動物学会東北支部大会
    • Place of Presentation
      弘前大学
    • Year and Date
      2005-07-30
    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Related Report
      2007 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Presentation] Expression of the mouse MertK essential for phagocytosis in the retinal pigment epithelium2005

    • Author(s)
      Tanuma, Ryo
    • Organizer
      Annual meeting of the Zoological Society of Japan. Tohoku regional Meeting
    • Place of Presentation
      Hirosaki
    • Year and Date
      2005-07-30
    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      2007 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Presentation] ニワトリ眼形成におけるOtx2遺伝子及びMitf遺伝子の機能解析2005

    • Author(s)
      築地 長治
    • Organizer
      日本発生生物学会第38回大会
    • Place of Presentation
      仙台国際センター
    • Year and Date
      2005-06-01
    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Related Report
      2007 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Presentation] Function of Otx2 and Mitf genes in the development of chicken eyes2005

    • Author(s)
      Tsukiji, Nagaharu
    • Organizer
      38^<th> Annual meeting for the Japanese Society of Developmenta Biologists
    • Place of Presentation
      Sendai
    • Year and Date
      2005-06-01
    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      2007 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Presentation] Mitf regulates differentiation and cell proliferation of the RPE2005

    • Author(s)
      Tsukiji, Nagaharu
    • Organizer
      19th International Pigment Cell Conference
    • Place of Presentation
      Washington DC, USA
    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Related Report
      2007 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Presentation] Fate of melanocytes in early Mitfmi-bw mutant embryos: insights into the role of Mitf-M during the melanocyte development.2005

    • Author(s)
      Takemoto, Yuji
    • Organizer
      19th International Pigment Cell Conference
    • Place of Presentation
      Washington DC, USA
    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Related Report
      2007 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Presentation] Mitf regulates differentiation and cell proliferation of the RPE2005

    • Author(s)
      Tsukiji, Nagaharu
    • Organizer
      19^<th> International Pigment Cell Conference
    • Place of Presentation
      Washington DC, USA
    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      2007 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Presentation] Fate of melanocytes in early Mitfmi-bw mutant embryos: insights into the role of Mitf-M during the melanocyte development.2005

    • Author(s)
      Takemoto, Yuji
    • Organizer
      19^<th> International Pigment Cell Conference
    • Place of Presentation
      Washington DC, USA
    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      2007 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Remarks] 「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より

    • URL

      http://cell.lifesci.tohoku.ac.jp/m/index.html

    • Related Report
      2007 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Remarks] 「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より

    • URL

      http://www.lifesci.tohoku.ac.jp/teacher/neuro/ts_yamamoto.html

    • Related Report
      2007 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Remarks]

    • URL

      http://cell.lifesci.tohoku.ac.jp/m/index.html

    • Related Report
      2007 Annual Research Report
  • [Remarks]

    • URL

      http://www.lifesci.tohoku.ac.jp/teacher/neuro/ts_yamamoto.html

    • Related Report
      2007 Annual Research Report

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Published: 2005-04-01   Modified: 2016-04-21  

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