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DNA protection and repair mechanisms in radiotolerant tardigrades

Research Project

Project/Area Number 20H04332
Research Category

Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)

Allocation TypeSingle-year Grants
Section一般
Review Section Basic Section 63020:Radiation influence-related
Research InstitutionThe University of Tokyo

Principal Investigator

Kunieda Takekazu  東京大学, 大学院理学系研究科(理学部), 准教授 (10463879)

Project Period (FY) 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
Project Status Completed (Fiscal Year 2023)
Budget Amount *help
¥17,680,000 (Direct Cost: ¥13,600,000、Indirect Cost: ¥4,080,000)
Fiscal Year 2022: ¥5,330,000 (Direct Cost: ¥4,100,000、Indirect Cost: ¥1,230,000)
Fiscal Year 2021: ¥5,330,000 (Direct Cost: ¥4,100,000、Indirect Cost: ¥1,230,000)
Fiscal Year 2020: ¥7,020,000 (Direct Cost: ¥5,400,000、Indirect Cost: ¥1,620,000)
Keywordsクマムシ / 放射線耐性 / DNA防護 / 動的相互作用 / ゲノム編集 / DNA修復 / FRAP / Dsup / 放射線防護
Outline of Research at the Start

クマムシは動物の中でも抜きん出て高い放射線耐性を示す。私達はこれまでにクマムシ固有のDNA防護タンパク質Dsupを同定し、他の放射線耐性生物には見られない「DNA防護」という新たな機構の存在を明確に示すとともに、クマムシにはDNA防護に加えて「正確性の高い新たなDNA修復機構」が存在することを示唆した。本課題では、これら独自の研究成果を元に、転写などと協調しながらDNA防護を可能にするメカニズム、および正確性の高いDNA修復を支える分子実体とそのメカニズムを解明し、高い放射線耐性を可能にする新たな分子機構の理解を目指す。

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Dsup is a novel DNA protection protein only found in some radiotolerant tardigrades. Here, using a heterologous expression system in human cultured cells, protein mutational analyses revealed that Dsup interacts with chromatin through at least two distinct regions. Each region provides quite different dynamicity to the interaction of Dsup protein with chromatin. These characteristics could explain how Dsup stably protect DNA from stressors while retaining DNA accessibility to other cellular machinery. We also developed genome-editing technology feasible in tardigrade somatic cells and found some somatic cells had strong preference in no-indel non-homologous end-joining repair after DNA cleavage by CRISPR/Cas9. Furthermore, we established an efficient method to generate homozygous knockout/knock-in tardigrade individuals in a single step, which substantially facilitate in vivo analysis of gene functions.

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

Dsupは放射線や活性酸素種からDNAを守る活性を持つ一方で、生命活動を維持するために必要な細胞マシーナリーのDNAへのアクセスを確保する必要がある。今回明らかになった2種類の性状の大きく異なる結合様式の存在は、生命活動と適合的な人工DNA防御剤を設計するうえで重要な知見を提供する。また、ゲノム編集系を利用してクマムシの一部の体細胞では二本鎖切断を受けたDNAに対して傷跡を残さないDNA修復が優先していることを示し、こうした修復機構も放射線耐性に寄与していることを示唆した。ノックアウト・ノックインクマムシの作出法の確立は様々な耐性メカニズムの解明に貢献することが期待される。

Report

(4 results)
  • 2023 Final Research Report ( PDF )
  • 2022 Annual Research Report
  • 2021 Annual Research Report
  • 2020 Annual Research Report
  • Research Products

    (50 results)

All 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 Other

All Int'l Joint Research (1 results) Journal Article (14 results) (of which Int'l Joint Research: 2 results,  Peer Reviewed: 7 results,  Open Access: 7 results) Presentation (35 results) (of which Int'l Joint Research: 5 results,  Invited: 10 results)

  • [Int'l Joint Research] Durham University(英国)

    • Related Report
      2020 Annual Research Report
  • [Journal Article] The major inducible small heat shock protein HSP20-3 in the tardigrade Ramazzottius varieornatus forms filament-like structures and is an active chaperone2024

    • Author(s)
      Al-Ansari Mohammad、Fitzsimons Taylor、Wei Wenbin、Goldberg Martin W.、Kunieda Takekazu、Quinlan Roy A.
    • Journal Title

      Cell Stress and Chaperones

      Volume: 29 Issue: 1 Pages: 51-65

    • DOI

      10.1016/j.cstres.2023.12.001

    • Related Report
      2022 Annual Research Report
    • Peer Reviewed / Open Access / Int'l Joint Research
  • [Journal Article] Single-step generation of homozygous knock-out/knock-in individuals in an extremotolerant parthenogenetic tardigrade using DIPA-CRISPR2024

    • Author(s)
      Kondo Koyuki、Tanaka Akihiro、Kunieda Takekazu
    • Journal Title

      bioRxiv

      Volume: 2024.01.10 Pages: 575120-575120

    • DOI

      10.1101/2024.01.10.575120

    • Related Report
      2022 Annual Research Report
    • Open Access
  • [Journal Article] Considerations on the TardiVec-based analyses of tissue specificity and desiccation-induced supramolecular structure of target proteins2023

    • Author(s)
      Tanaka Akihiro、Kunieda Takekazu
    • Journal Title

      Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

      Volume: 120 Issue: 48

    • DOI

      10.1073/pnas.2312563120

    • Related Report
      2022 Annual Research Report
    • Peer Reviewed / Open Access
  • [Journal Article] 進化がもたらす極限環境への多様な適応戦略2023

    • Author(s)
      國枝武和
    • Journal Title

      月刊「細胞」

      Volume: 55(14) Pages: 2-3

    • Related Report
      2022 Annual Research Report
  • [Journal Article] 極限耐性を支えるクマムシ固有のタンパク質2023

    • Author(s)
      橋本拓磨、國枝武和
    • Journal Title

      月刊「細胞」

      Volume: 55(14) Pages: 8-11

    • Related Report
      2022 Annual Research Report
  • [Journal Article] クマムシの極限環境耐性を支える非ドメイン型タンパク質2023

    • Author(s)
      國枝武和
    • Journal Title

      Medical Science Digest

      Volume: 49(9) Pages: 21-24

    • Related Report
      2022 Annual Research Report
  • [Journal Article] Stress-dependent cell stiffening by tardigrade tolerance proteins that reversibly form a filamentous network and gel2022

    • Author(s)
      Tanaka Akihiro、Nakano Tomomi、Watanabe Kento、Masuda Kazutoshi、Honda Gen、Kamata Shuichi、Yasui Reitaro、Kozuka-Hata Hiroko、Watanabe Chiho、Chinen Takumi、Kitagawa Daiju、Sawai Satoshi、Oyama Masaaki、Yanagisawa Miho、Kunieda Takekazu
    • Journal Title

      PLOS Biology

      Volume: 20 Issue: 9 Pages: 3001780-3001780

    • DOI

      10.1371/journal.pbio.3001780

    • Related Report
      2022 Annual Research Report
    • Peer Reviewed / Open Access
  • [Journal Article] Application of CRISPR/Cas9 system and the preferred no-indel end-joining repair in tardigrades2022

    • Author(s)
      Kumagai Hitomi、Kondo Koyuki、Kunieda Takekazu
    • Journal Title

      Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications

      Volume: 623 Pages: 196-201

    • DOI

      10.1016/j.bbrc.2022.07.060

    • Related Report
      2022 Annual Research Report
    • Peer Reviewed
  • [Journal Article] Description of a model tardigrade Paramacrobiotus metropolitanus sp. nov. (Eutardigrada) from Japan with a summary of its life history, reproduction and genomics2022

    • Author(s)
      SUGIURA KENTA、MATSUMOTO MIDORI、KUNIEDA TAKEKAZU
    • Journal Title

      Zootaxa

      Volume: 5134 Issue: 1 Pages: 92-112

    • DOI

      10.11646/zootaxa.5134.1.4

    • Related Report
      2022 Annual Research Report
    • Peer Reviewed
  • [Journal Article] クマムシ:極限ストレス耐性のメカニズム-ヒトへの応用を展望して2022

    • Author(s)
      國枝武和
    • Journal Title

      医学のあゆみ

      Volume: 280 Pages: 799-804

    • Related Report
      2021 Annual Research Report 2020 Annual Research Report
  • [Journal Article] Parallel evolution of trehalose production machinery in anhydrobiotic animals via recurrent gene loss and horizontal transfer2021

    • Author(s)
      Hara Yuichiro、Shibahara Reira、Kondo Koyuki、Abe Wataru、Kunieda Takekazu
    • Journal Title

      Open Biology

      Volume: 11 Issue: 7 Pages: 200413-200413

    • DOI

      10.1098/rsob.200413

    • Related Report
      2021 Annual Research Report 2020 Annual Research Report
    • Peer Reviewed / Open Access
  • [Journal Article] Stress-dependent cell stiffening by tardigrade tolerance proteins through reversible formation of cytoskeleton-like filamentous network and gel-transition2021

    • Author(s)
      Tanaka Akihiro、Nakano Tomomi、Watanabe Kento、Masuda Kazutoshi、Honda Gen、Kamata Shuichi、Yasui Reitaro、Kozuka-Hata Hiroko、Watanabe Chiho、Chinen Takumi、Kitagawa Daiju、Sawai Satoshi、Oyama Masaaki、Yanagisawa Miho、Kunieda Takekazu
    • Journal Title

      bioRxiv

      Volume: N.A Pages: 462891-462891

    • DOI

      10.1101/2021.10.02.462891

    • Related Report
      2021 Annual Research Report 2020 Annual Research Report
    • Open Access
  • [Journal Article] 宇宙に耐える極限生物から切り拓く新たな放射線ストレス防衛機構の解明2021

    • Author(s)
      國枝武和
    • Journal Title

      医学のあゆみ

      Volume: 279 Pages: 615-621

    • Related Report
      2021 Annual Research Report 2020 Annual Research Report
  • [Journal Article] Space radiation biology for “Living in Space”2020

    • Author(s)
      Furukawa S, Nagamatsu A, Nenoi M, Fujimori A, Kakinuma S, Katsube T, Wang B, Tsuruoka C, Shirai T, Nakamura AJ, Sakaue-Sawano A, Miyawaki A, Harada H, Kobayashi M, Kobayashi J, Kunieda T, Funayama T, Suzuki M, Miyamoto T, Hidema J, Yoshida Y, Takahashi A.
    • Journal Title

      BioMed Res Int.

      Volume: 2020 Issue: 1 Pages: 4703286-4703286

    • DOI

      10.1155/2020/4703286

    • Related Report
      2020 Annual Research Report
    • Peer Reviewed / Open Access / Int'l Joint Research
  • [Presentation] The unique tricks tardigrade uses to enable anhydrobiosis and extremotolerance2023

    • Author(s)
      Takekazu Kunieda
    • Organizer
      The Tardigrade Story - 250th Anniversary
    • Related Report
      2022 Annual Research Report
    • Int'l Joint Research / Invited
  • [Presentation] 極限環境における生体適応2023

    • Author(s)
      國枝武和
    • Organizer
      日本運動生理学会第31回大会
    • Related Report
      2022 Annual Research Report
    • Invited
  • [Presentation] 宇宙にも耐える動物クマムシのサバイバル戦略を読み解く2023

    • Author(s)
      國枝武和
    • Organizer
      2023年度日本冷凍空調学会
    • Related Report
      2022 Annual Research Report
    • Invited
  • [Presentation] なぜクマムシは極限環境に耐えられるのか?その謎を探る2023

    • Author(s)
      國枝武和
    • Organizer
      日本学術会議・公開シンポジウム
    • Related Report
      2022 Annual Research Report
    • Invited
  • [Presentation] Generation of gene-edited individuals in tardigrades2023

    • Author(s)
      近藤小雪
    • Organizer
      第46回日本分子生物学会
    • Related Report
      2022 Annual Research Report
    • Invited
  • [Presentation] クマムシ固有のDNA保護タンパク質Dsupの動的なふるまい2023

    • Author(s)
      新崎康太
    • Organizer
      クマムシ学研究会
    • Related Report
      2022 Annual Research Report
  • [Presentation] クマムシ固有のDNA保護タンパク質Dsupの2つの結合部位と動的性状2023

    • Author(s)
      新崎康太
    • Organizer
      日本動物学会関東支部第76回大会
    • Related Report
      2022 Annual Research Report
  • [Presentation] 乾燥耐性を持つクマムシにおけるゲノム編集2023

    • Author(s)
      近藤小雪
    • Organizer
      第7回クマムシ学研究会
    • Related Report
      2022 Annual Research Report
  • [Presentation] クマムシの乾燥耐性を”支える”CAHS線維のはたらき2023

    • Author(s)
      田中彬寛
    • Organizer
      第7回クマムシ学研究会
    • Related Report
      2022 Annual Research Report
  • [Presentation] Physiological roles of tardigrade-unique heat-soluble proteins2022

    • Author(s)
      Akihiro Tanaka
    • Organizer
      15th International Symposium on Tardigrada
    • Related Report
      2022 Annual Research Report
    • Int'l Joint Research
  • [Presentation] Stress-dependent cell-stiffening by tardigrade tolerance proteins CAHS through reversible formation of a cytoskeleton-like filamentous network and gel-transition2022

    • Author(s)
      Akihiro Tanaka
    • Organizer
      15th International Symposium on Tardigrada
    • Related Report
      2022 Annual Research Report
    • Int'l Joint Research
  • [Presentation] クマムシ固有の繊維化耐性タンパク質CAHSによるストレスに応答した細胞の硬化と耐性の向上2022

    • Author(s)
      國枝武和
    • Organizer
      極限環境生物学会第23回年会
    • Related Report
      2022 Annual Research Report
  • [Presentation] クマムシタンパク質が示すストレス応答性の多様な細胞内局在及び構造の変化2022

    • Author(s)
      近藤小雪
    • Organizer
      極限環境生物学会第23回年会
    • Related Report
      2022 Annual Research Report
  • [Presentation] 乾燥耐性を持つクマムシにおけるゲノム編集2022

    • Author(s)
      近藤小雪
    • Organizer
      第45回日本分子生物学会
    • Related Report
      2022 Annual Research Report
  • [Presentation] Tardigrade-unique tolerance protein CAHS forms filaments via electrostatic interaction and stiffens cells in response to hyperosmotic stress2022

    • Author(s)
      田中彬寛
    • Organizer
      第45回日本分子生物学会
    • Related Report
      2022 Annual Research Report
  • [Presentation] クマムシ固有の繊維化耐性タンパク質CAHSによるストレス依存の細胞硬化と繊維形成に関わる静電相互作用の解明2022

    • Author(s)
      田中彬寛
    • Organizer
      第45回日本分子生物学会
    • Related Report
      2022 Annual Research Report
  • [Presentation] 脱水ストレス依存に細胞骨格様の線維やゲルを形成するクマムシタンパク質CAHSによる細胞の機械的強度の向上2022

    • Author(s)
      田中彬寛
    • Organizer
      第60回日本生物物理学会年会
    • Related Report
      2022 Annual Research Report
  • [Presentation] クマムシ固有の耐性タンパク質CAHSによるストレス依存的な細胞の機械的強度の向上2022

    • Author(s)
      田中彬寛
    • Organizer
      第7回ユニーク会
    • Related Report
      2022 Annual Research Report
  • [Presentation] クマムシ固有の耐性タンパク質CAHSの脱水様ストレス依存の線維化に必要な高次構造と細胞を保護するメカニズムの解析2022

    • Author(s)
      田中彬寛
    • Organizer
      日本動物学会第93回大会
    • Related Report
      2022 Annual Research Report
  • [Presentation] Unique toolbox in tardigrade anhydrobiosis.2022

    • Author(s)
      Takekazu Kunieda
    • Organizer
      Royal Society Theo Murphy Meeting - Anhydrobiosis
    • Related Report
      2021 Annual Research Report 2020 Annual Research Report
    • Int'l Joint Research / Invited
  • [Presentation] Stress-dependent cell stiffening by tardigrade tolerance proteins CAHS through reversible formation of cytoskeleton-like filamentous network and gel-transition.2022

    • Author(s)
      Akihiro Tanaka
    • Organizer
      Royal Society Theo Murphy Meeting - Anhydrobiosis
    • Related Report
      2021 Annual Research Report 2020 Annual Research Report
    • Int'l Joint Research
  • [Presentation] 脱水様ストレスに応答して線維/ゲル化するクマムシタンパク質の機能・構造解析2022

    • Author(s)
      田中彬寛
    • Organizer
      第1回乾眠生物若手の会
    • Related Report
      2021 Annual Research Report 2020 Annual Research Report
  • [Presentation] なぜクマムシは乾燥すると頑強になるのか?2022

    • Author(s)
      田中彬寛
    • Organizer
      第6回クマムシ学研究会
    • Related Report
      2021 Annual Research Report 2020 Annual Research Report
  • [Presentation] クマムシはどうやって極限環境に耐えるのか?2021

    • Author(s)
      國枝武和
    • Organizer
      大隅基礎科学創成財団 第2回市民講座
    • Related Report
      2021 Annual Research Report 2020 Annual Research Report
    • Invited
  • [Presentation] 放射線も平気?極限環境に耐える動物クマムシ2021

    • Author(s)
      國枝武和
    • Organizer
      日本進化学会 第23回大会公開シンポジウム
    • Related Report
      2021 Annual Research Report 2020 Annual Research Report
    • Invited
  • [Presentation] クマムシ固有な新規細胞骨格様タンパク質による耐性メカニズムの解析2021

    • Author(s)
      田中彬寛
    • Organizer
      日本動物学会 第92回大会
    • Related Report
      2021 Annual Research Report 2020 Annual Research Report
  • [Presentation] クマムシ固有の耐性タンパク質CAHSの線維/ゲル化メカニズムの解析2021

    • Author(s)
      田中彬寛
    • Organizer
      極限環境生物学会 第22回大会
    • Related Report
      2021 Annual Research Report 2020 Annual Research Report
  • [Presentation] クマムシ固有分泌型熱可溶性タンパク質SAHS1の機能解析2021

    • Author(s)
      安井玲太朗
    • Organizer
      極限環境生物学会 第22回大会
    • Related Report
      2021 Annual Research Report 2020 Annual Research Report
  • [Presentation] クマムシ固有の乾燥耐性タンパク質による脱水ストレスに応答した可逆的な細胞骨格様線維/ゲルの形成2021

    • Author(s)
      田中彬寛
    • Organizer
      日本分子生物学会 第44回大会
    • Related Report
      2021 Annual Research Report 2020 Annual Research Report
    • Invited
  • [Presentation] Tardigrades' unstructured proteins as a toolkit for extremotolerance.2020

    • Author(s)
      Takekazu Kunieda
    • Organizer
      第43回日本分子生物学会年会
    • Related Report
      2020 Annual Research Report
    • Invited
  • [Presentation] 脱水に応答して繊維構造を可逆的に形成するクマムシ固有の天然変性タンパク質の解析2020

    • Author(s)
      田中彬寛
    • Organizer
      第43回日本分子生物学会年会
    • Related Report
      2020 Annual Research Report
  • [Presentation] 脱水に応答して繊維構造を可逆的に形成するクマムシタンパク質の解析2020

    • Author(s)
      田中彬寛
    • Organizer
      第5回クマムシ学研究会
    • Related Report
      2020 Annual Research Report
  • [Presentation] 脱水に応答して繊維構造を可逆的に形成するクマムシ固有の天然変性タンパク質の解析2020

    • Author(s)
      田中彬寛
    • Organizer
      第58回生物物理学会
    • Related Report
      2020 Annual Research Report
  • [Presentation] クマムシ固有の天然変性タンパク質の脱水ストレスに応答した可逆的な繊維形成2020

    • Author(s)
      田中彬寛
    • Organizer
      日本動物学会 第91回大会
    • Related Report
      2020 Annual Research Report
  • [Presentation] クマムシ固有分泌型熱可溶性タンパク質SAHSのリガンド解析2020

    • Author(s)
      安井玲太朗
    • Organizer
      極限環境生物学会 第21回大会
    • Related Report
      2020 Annual Research Report

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Published: 2020-04-28   Modified: 2025-01-30  

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