Comprehensive analysis of lysophospholipids using model animals

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project Area: Machineries of bioactive lipids in homeostasis and diseases
• Project/Area Number: 22116004
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research on Innovative Areas (Research in a proposed research area)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Review Section: Biological Sciences
• Research Institution: Tohoku University
• Principal Investigator: AOKI Junken 東北大学, 薬学研究科(研究院), 教授 (20250219)
• Project Period (FY): 2010-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: リゾリン脂質 / GPCR / 産生酵素 / マウス / ゼブラフィッシュ

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Lysophospholipids are phospholipids that have only one acy chains. In the past two decades many GPCRs have been shown to react specifically with some of lysophospholipids. These include receptor for lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) and sphingosine 1 phosphate (S1P). In addition, specific enzymes that produce these lysophosphspholipids have been identified. Interestingly, these receptors and synthetic enzymes for lysophospholipids are highly conserved in vertebrates. Thus, in this study, to identify the patho-physiological roles of lysophospholipids, which is conserved among the wide range of vertebrates, we performed functional analyses of lysophospholipid receptors and synthetic enzymes using zebrafishes and mice as animal models. As one of the results in this study, we found new molecular mechanism underlining the embryonic blood formation mediated by LPA-degrading enzyme.

Free Research Field

脂質生物学